So happy for Mike Smith, and for the horse and his connections.
And the country really could use this happy boost. Nice to have so many come together on something like the Triple Crown.
As for the ride, Mike was based in NY years before he returned to California, so should know “Big Sandy” well enough to realize when to ask him to make his move. And he rides like no other. Especially at his age, I am so impressed with how flat he can lay to a horse’s back. I saw something different at the start of the race than mentioned above. He was as low as you can go, to give the horse as little wind resistance as possible when making the lead.
Although I love Mike Smith, and still will favor his Zenyatta rides as much, I wasn’t a big fan of Justify - not crazy about Baffert, and wasn’t convinced he’d do it yesterday. But things changed after NBCSports replayed the Derby and Preakness early yesterday, and I watched his pre-race attitude. There it was. I’m gonna win this thing. Life is wonderful, and I’m the best horse around.
And I had the day off, and able to watch all of the coverage, and the horse got to me. Again, before the race, the attitude. I also had spent a lot of time trying to handicap who else to look for, and was big on Mott’s horse. But in the post parade, there was no one who was in the same league.
I liked Pharoah enough, but for some reason, like this horse more. Maybe because 2015 was a tough year for me, and this one is better in different ways. And maybe because I think we can use some coming together. Isn’t it like a horse to do that?
I’m working away from home, and miss hanging out with others to watch. But am a fan now, for sure.
Oh, and Barbara Livingston’s photo of Justify’s “leap” is even better.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jumpin-JUST…-/362332975826
Yay, indeed!! :congratulatory:
