I have to say my heart lies with Maximum Security but that’s simply because I liked him all Spring even before the Derby.
Who’s your pick?
I think King for a Day is a really improving colt and that his victory was legitimate in the Pegasus. I give him the best shot. Second best shot to Mucho Gusto.
On a sentimental side, which I realize doesn’t mean anything in terms of performance, I love the stories behind Joevia (named after the owner’s two kids Joe and Olivia) and Bethlehem Road (overcame a whole lot of very challenging physical problems), and I would love to see either of them win. I do think Bethlehem Road is in very deep here, sharp move up in class. Joevia was impressive in the Belmont, but so many speed horses are there today. If he doesn’t get in a meltdown duel, I think he has a decent chance but not as good as King or Mucho.
I think Max is going to have a tough time with this one. I’m trying very hard not to let my opinion of the owners’ actions influence my feelings for the horse, but totally objectively, he is a speed horse in a race with a whole bunch of other speed horses. He has had ideal pace conditions and/or slop in his races where he finished first. With this many who want the front end, I’m going to take convincing that he can rate or that he can win while fighting it out. I do think he is a very talented horse, and he obviously loves slop. With a different pace scenario and not a fast track, I’d think he’d have a better chance than with a field of speedballs on fast dirt. Even Dr. Fager (and I don’t put Max anywhere near in the same league as him) could be beaten when he had to fight hard for it on the lead.
All of which is probably worth as much as you paid for it. 
Hope everybody does fine with the heat. I’m glad to see that the Haskell is pushed back now.
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Joevia scratched? I wonder why.
What happened on the turn? If he gets dq’d…
Maximum Security wins.
I missed it. I only saw a bump at the start.
He’s a gutsy little horse. Happy for him and his owners.
Oh that would shorten some life spans…
At this point I think he was a thug in his former life or maybe an offensive lineman.
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Oh good. No change.
He looked like he had a bit more muscle and weight on him than in the Pegasus. Looked better physically. I thought he looked thin and a bit washy in the post parade at the Pegasus, not today. However, he did come over on the turn, although the stewards decided not significant effect, probably because King for a Day was already retreating. He seems to run greenly at times and be reactive, especially maybe to the roar of an enthusiastic crowd coming into the homestretch? IMHO, he needs to mature and still work some on focus. Wonder if they use cotton in his ears. I was impressed at how he rated.
I turned it off right after the race because my brother asked for something…was there an inquiry?
He about put King For A Day over the inside rail.
I would not want to be a jockey riding against Luis Saez. I really wish the stewards would give him a penalty meaningful enough to make him change his dangerous ways.
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Oh Lordy here we go again LMFAO
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IKR - that was scary.
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Super funny when a horse and rider almost go down.
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Oh hell. I have just seen the replay, I couldn’t see the the bump from the bushes.
(Weird expression but anyone watching the race live on TV knows what I mean)
That was rough. Doesn’t seem fair, but I am not qualified to judge. Perhaps just cutthroat race riding for the big race?
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As "skydy "says. It’s my impression that Maximum Security was well ahead of King for a Day when he came over. Maybe an aeriel would show differently.
I never saw a bump, everything looked fair to me but I’m glad for King and his rider are okay.
I question whether the owners/trainer should consider a new jockey on MS for the breeders cup? Even if it was only a slight bump 2 inquires in two big races…I don’t think they would want a third.
