American Pharoah with authority

[Runningincircles]

You guys are far more of the experts, but what I liked about AP's performance today was that he hustled out of the gate when asked, settled when asked (really just loping along), and then fired when asked. His ears were active, "listening" to the Espinosa in the stretch with a hand ride. He looked remarkably "happy" for a horse running in horrible conditions.

[DonGuido]

Originally Posted by Runningincircles

You guys are far more of the experts, but what I liked about AP's performance today was that he hustled out of the gate when asked, settled when asked (really just loping along), and then fired when asked. His ears were active, "listening" to the Espinosa in the stretch with a hand ride. He looked remarkably "happy" for a horse running in horrible conditions.

Agree 150% with everything you saw and said, he did everything that a champion race horse is supposed to do when his jockey asked him to. He ran an excellent race but I will say the rain and sloppy conditions didn't hurt his performance. I think he relished it.

So far I ask, who has he really beat? Is there a horse out there that's close to or worthy of giving him a real test. We may see in 3 weeks and/or on down the road but so much can change and happen . . .

Look, he has done little, if anything, wrong in his young racing career, and some already said here . . . let's enjoy him and I add get behind him in force and cheer him and connections on (who are also awesome horse people) and truly hope we are all not disappointed one more time.

[Runningincircles]

Yes, the next test is whether he can run just as "happily" for a mile and a half. And we can hope that Baffert and Espinosa have learned lessons from their past "almosts."

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by DonGuido

Agree 150% with everything you saw and said, he did everything that a champion race horse is supposed to do when his jockey asked him to. He ran an excellent race but I will say the rain and sloppy conditions didn't hurt his performance. I think he relished it.

So far I ask, who has he really beat? Is there a horse out there that's close to or worthy of giving him a real test. We may see in 3 weeks and/or on down the road but so much can change and happen . . .

Look, he has done little, if anything, wrong in his young racing career, and some already said here . . . let's enjoy him and I add get behind him in force and cheer him and connections on (who are also awesome horse people) and truly hope we are all not disappointed one more time.

I think I would be more apt to do this if he were trained/owned by anyone other than who he is. I can't stand them.

[geeker2]

I for one, Am so excited for the prospect of a TC winner this year. I think we might just see it and that gives be a Boner




..............and Baba Booey to y'all

[DonGuido]

Originally Posted by geeker2

I for one, Am so excited for the prospect of a TC winner this year. I think we might just see it and that gives be a Boner :



..............and Baba Booey to y'all

Chill my friend, relax . . . 3 weeks to go and if he does win, I can't imagine what you'll feel like?

[horseofcourse]

The closest comps to this horse recently are Smarty Jones and Big Brown. I honestly don't think American Pharoah's Ky Derby/Preakness performances are as good as those two and those two appeared to absolutely tower over their class. Things tend to happen at Belmont Park as horses attempt to win the triple crown. Right now I'd put his chances at less than 20 percent chance to win that race. I think many of the last 13 who have tried it in the last 37 years are better than American Pharoah and they all failed. I hope I'm wrong as I'd like to see it done again.

[LITF]

I'd put his chances at about 20%. Other than Materiality it doesn't appear (at this point) to be much speed in the race (though maybe Carpe Diem shows more). We do still have three weeks so who knows who ends up showing up. I think 20% means he has a huge chance of winning but it's still a long way out and anyway I'll be playing against the potential triple crown aspirant. I do think, after last year, Victor puts him on the lead and we'll see how long he lasts. I'm sure he'll get run down late, maybe he doesn't even hit the board, but, still, who cares. The important part for the game is that he makes it there in tact (knock on wood). It's going to be a great day...and if he does win it...well, ****, it's going to be nuts and rightfully so.

As for the crop suddenly being subpar, that's just embarrassing. I was pumped to see Firing Line and Dortmund throw down with AP in the stretch again but clearly Mother Nature was rooting for the Pharaoh. (Tale of Verve won't finish anywhere near the board in the Belmont) Anyway, they'll regroup and win there share of races. Hopefully we see them back at in the summer/fall. (Calling it now, Dortmund will win the Haskell) I still think this crop is one of the best we've seen and wouldn't be surprised if those two have something to say in the BCC at the end of the year.

Don't get caught up in the time. It doesn't mean anything. That race was fantastic today! Just what we needed. Thank God AP handled the slop. On to Belmont...where Frosted will win, spoiling another crown bid...but who cares. All that matters is that we head to Belmont with the chance. The result is irrelevant.

[geeker2]

Originally Posted by DonGuido

Chill my friend, relax . . . 3 weeks to go and if he does win, I can't imagine what you'll feel like?

I'll feel like Sightypoo and Deb-o-Deb riding the sybian........

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by geeker2

I for one, Am so excited for the prospect of a TC winner this year. I think we might just see it and that gives be a Boner




..............and Baba Booey to y'all

TMI Ralph.

[DonGuido]

Originally Posted by Arletta

I think I would be more apt to do this if he were trained/owned by anyone other than who he is. I can't stand them.

Arletta, ya knows I how much luvs ya but this may be the first time we differ widely . . . but that's OK. It's about the horse and horse racing. If AP wins the Triple Crown, who's picture will be on the cover of all the media/new papers (do they still exist), and magazines? I rest my case.

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by DonGuido

Arletta, ya knows I how much luvs ya but this may be the first time we differ widely . . . but that's OK. It's about the horse and horse racing. If AP wins the Triple Crown, who's picture will be on the cover of all the media/new papers (do they still exist), and magazines? I rest my case.

I don't hate the horse, just don't want to see him be the next TC winner. I'd rather another year or 10 go by without one than see them win it.

[santana]

Originally Posted by Arletta

I think I would be more apt to do this if he were trained/owned by anyone other than who he is. I can't stand them.

It is a little surprising to me that you have something against one of the best trainers of all time.....

[declansharbor]

Originally Posted by Arletta

I think I would be more apt to do this if he were trained/owned by anyone other than who he is. I can't stand them.

If the connections ever read any of your posts from Clyde/Mortimer/whoever the weirdo is, I'm sure they'd be THRILLED to hear of your distaste.

[knickslions2]

Originally Posted by declansharbor

If the connections ever read any of your posts from Clyde/Mortimer/whoever the weirdo is, I'm sure they'd be THRILLED to hear of your distaste.

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by declansharbor

If the connections ever read any of your posts from Clyde/Mortimer/whoever the weirdo is, I'm sure they'd be THRILLED to hear of your distaste.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Why aren't people appreciating a spectacular horse?

This really might just be a truly once in a blue moon horse. Enjoy him. They are rare.

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

Jesus Christ. What the fuc1< do you people want?!

... and that pretty much sums it up. Well said.

[DonGuido]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

... and that pretty much sums it up. Well said.

Jesus thanks you too!

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by DonGuido

Jesus thanks you too!

Sorry, I don't get it.

[DonGuido]

So on AP's lack of speed, I went back and found this, interesting . . .

Private clocker and bloodstock agent Gary Young told Churchill Downs' communications department he's been in those businesses 35 years, "and (American Pharoah) might be the best horse I've ever seen. He's simply like Michael Jordan and stays in the air like he did in his rookie year. He stays in the air longer than any horse and you get the feeling that there's not one gear left, but he may have two, three or four gears."

Could be he just uses enough of that "speed" to win, ya think maybe? That said, he may need overdrive to win on June 6 . . . let's hope he has that gear left.