There’s only one question today: Can American Pharoah win the Triple Crown?
The numbers are in his favor, Gary West writes:
The 11 Triple Crown winners emerged from crops that averaged 10,922 foals. The 13 horses since 1978 whose bids failed in New York came from crops that averaged 36,418 foals, and among so many, nobody’s talent was so superior that he could overcome circumstances and vicissitudes, as well as rivals. In 1970, on the other hand, 24,361 racehorses were foaled, and one of them was Secretariat. In 1974, Seattle Slew was in a crop of 27,586; and in 1975, Affirmed in a crop of 28,271.
Steve Haskin says he fits the profile of a Triple Crown winner.
Jon White has 10 reasons he will win (and five concerns).
Seven are lining up against American Pharoah in the Belmont Stakes gate. If he wins, he’ll have defeated 31 challengers, one fewer than War Admiral in 1937.
Picks for the Belmont Stakes card are up on Hello Race Fans.
Posted by JC in Racing on 06/06/2015 @ 11:12 am / Tagged American Pharoah, Belmont Stakes, Triple Crown / Follow @railbird on Twitter
Relevant Belmont Stakes-eve information on whip use via the New York Times:
In New York, the state issues a fine or penalty for excessive use of the whip. But since 2010, racing stewards have also enforced a house rule of no more than five strikes in succession, with a pause of two or three strides to see if the horse responds.
When a rider violates the rule, one of the tan wall phones in the jockeys’ locker room will ring, Dr. Hill said, and the call will go out: “Movies for Jockey A tomorrow†— meaning a violation was caught on film, and the jockey will be given a $500 fine that will go to a track-related charity.
Retired jockey and NYRA analyst Richard Migliore says he’d like to see a whip rule that goes beyond the soon-to-be implemented California guidelines: “one strike of the whip, then wait a few strides to see if the horse responds.”
Posted by JC in Racing on 06/05/2015 @ 5:27 pm / Tagged Belmont Stakes, Jockeys, New York, NYRA, Stewards, Whip Use / Follow @railbird on Twitter
Dick Powell:
I love the Met Mile (G1) and hate that it is run on the Belmont Stakes undercard. It is a race worthy of its own big stage and should not share it with anyone.
Seconding the sentiment. It pains me to see a race as significant and historic as the Met Mile crammed into a bloated Belmont Stakes “Big Day” card between the Just a Game and the Manhattan Stakes. Restore it to Memorial Day!
Posted by JC in Racing on 06/05/2015 @ 8:41 am / Tagged Belmont Park, Belmont Stakes, Big Days, Met Mile, New York / Follow @railbird on Twitter
