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My favourite USA classic takes place over 1m4f at Belmont Park, Long Island, New York, on Saturday and I’m looking forward to it immensely.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Thanks for that. Hope it’s on racing radio.Failing that I might be able to catch it on Radio Sport 927 ( thanks to Big G for introducing me to that….)
I’ll be watching this renewal with keen interest to see whether or not Rich Strike, the Kentucky Derby winner at odds of 80/1, is for real or an outlier and I hope it’s the former. The connections skipped the Preakness, the second jewel of American “Triple Crown”, just have RS rested and ready for this race. But, it should be a really interesting race given the presence of Nest (Curlin) the filly who was a beaten favorite in the Kentucky Oaks a month ago.
Curlin brings memories of one of my favorite Belmonts ever, the 2007 edition and his epic battle with Michael Tabor’s filly Rags to Riches. Here’s the link, it’s quite good…
I’m not that into big sporting occasions tbh and hardly ever watch one on TV and wish I’d been there.
But there is one exception to that – American Pharoah’s Belmont, though tbh a truly world-class commentary made up for it.
The Americans do televised racing so much better than their UK counterparts in my book.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Given the insane gallop, the 1m2f Kentucky Derby might prove more of an attritional test of stamina than the 1m4f Belmont this year.
But, in the hope I’m wrong, I’ve got to be with Rich Strike who will surely be staying on best of all at the death.
Nest ought to have a chance with the generous 5lb gender allowance, but Secret Oath didn’t exactly boost the Kentucky Oaks form in the Preakness.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Cracking race, impressive winner.
Rich Strike didn’t quite get the suicidal pace to come off this time, with the net result more of his rivals ahead of him ran to form, I think.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Best performance of the evening didn’t come in the classic:
Could be an extremely good horse, this.
Massively impressive – missed the break, sent up to join what looked a strong enough early pace to me, but it didn’t bother him one bit, cruised into the lead and just went further clear in the closing stages.
Commentator different class to any on our side of the Atlantic IMO, btw, think he called American Pharoah’s Belmont a few years ago.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Agree with your assessment of the Belmont classic, Ian. The filly did try hard, but the winner was just too much and best on the day…
The Met Mile, along with the Queen Anne, are my two favorite 8F races. Some of the greatest of the greats dirt and turf horses run in these races.
However, what everyone was buzzing about, at least in the media, was the “comeback” dominant performance of Jack Christopher in the 7F Woody Stephens (G1). He was a very promising 2-yo last year and was injured just prior to the Breeders’ Cup. Here’s what Chad Brown, his trainer, had to say:
“This horse is an exceptional talent,” said Brown. “This is my 15th year of training and I’ve never had a dirt horse with this much pure brilliance. He reminds me a lot of Ghostzapper when I worked for Bobby Frankel. He’s a brilliant horse that can probably run any distance.”
Have a look:
I remembered Jack Christopher, who I seem to recall had been favourite for his Breeders’ Cup assignment prior to withdrawal.
The 3yo clocked 1m21.8s for 7f (11.68s per furlong) carrying 8st12lb.
The year older Flightline, also carrying 8st12lb, clocked 1m33.59s for 1m, 11.7s per furlong.
Given the weight-for-age allowance at 7f/1m this time of year is 11/12lb, taken at face value it’s a sensational effort by the 3yo.
However, the usual caveat – literal time comparisons can be very misleading (there are all the other times on the card to consider, for a start) and both horses won easily, so it’s hard to be sure what either had left in reserve.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"
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