The Belmont Stakes...the double Bunny

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Dunbar

I'm feeling that if Audible and Noble Indy are kept out of the Belmont in order to help Justify's chances, then there ought to be an asterisk next to Justify's TC, should he in fact win it versus the reduced competition.

Noble Indy was NEVER under consideration for the Belmont. Pletcher told ATR Tuesday afterwards that they would look for different kind of opportunities for him.

Should we asterisk Citation? His Calumet stablemate Coaltown (widely considered the crop's 2nd best horse) was 2nd to him in the Derby and not brought back out for Preakness or Belmont?

And for the record comparing 'reduced competition', Justify already beat more horses in the Derby (19) than Citation did in his entire Crown run (15). Five in the Derby; Three in the Preakness; Seven in the Belmont.