Bits and Pieces according to ZATT
I never wanted winning the Triple Crown to be made easier, because I wanted no part of seeing the first winner since Affirmed, be anything less than a superstar. Honestly, there were several of the previous 13 Kentucky Derby/Preakness winners that I believed were not up to snuff to be join the hallowed halls. I am thrilled to say that American Pharoah is worthy. He’s a legitimately great horse, and I believe the Belmont Stakes was the day he put any possible doubt to bed. The Test of the Champion was just that, and he passed with an absolute air of greatness.
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Honor Code to win the Met Mile was my best bet on Belmont Day, and it turns out he ran even better than I expected. So good in fact, that I wonder if on the Belmont Stakes undercard was the place to be for this performance. Considering that countless more people saw him in person at Belmont, and on NBC, than would have if the Met was still on Memorial Day, without question, that’s enough to convince me that this Belmont stacking experiment is good for the game.
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I’m still not sure if she wants to run the 1 3/16 miles of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf or not, but it’s time to recognize the quality of Tepin. I’m not sure where she was as a three-year-old, but her win on Derby Day was top notch, and her win on Belmont Day was even better.
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Things that make you go hmmm … American Pharoah earned a 105 Beyer Speed Rating for his Triple Crown clinching Belmont Stakes victory, while Materiality was given a 110 Beyer for his victory in the Florida Derby … hmmm.
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I know he was Coach Inged on Saturday, but mark my words ... V.E. Day has another big, Grade 1 victory in him.
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People are already cashing in on the American Pharoah accomplishment. Uncashed $2 win tickets are flying off Ebay for upwards of twenty bills. Well played to the entrepreneurial faction. But how about the guys who are selling uncashed $2 win tickets of American Pharoah’s wins in the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont as a set? The three-pack is selling for $399.90 … Speculation at its finest!
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On the fast track to an Eclipse Award, or a one-track wonder wonder? Belmont Park has certainly been good to Wedding Toast. In five lifetime starts at the Long Island oval, she has four wins and a second, with her only defeat coming at the hands of Princess of Sylmar. Moreover, her last two starts in the Ruffian and Grade 1 Ogden Phipps make her look like a potential champion. Can she do it outside of Belmont? The jury is still out, but my guess is yes.
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All these comparisons of American Pharoah to Secretariat, and their respective Belmont Stakes’ runs, are a little troubling to me. How is Pharoah supposed to measure up to the greatest race ever run on U.S. soil? Isn’t being the most important American race horse we’ve had in more than three decades enough?
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It’s nearly time for Royal Ascot, and you know what that means -- the California Chromies will be out in full force talking up their hero. I am not expecting a win, or even a near win, but I hope I am wrong. Which of course would allow the Chromies to tell the American Pharoah fans to put that in their pipes and smoke it.
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I was pleased to see Frosted run his best in the Belmont Stakes. Unlike the Preakness, where the top competition never lifted their hooves, his strong race only went to further highlight just how special American Pharoah really is.
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OK, I admit it … I'm a massive fan of Maggie Wolfendale.