Week/Weekend Stakes Beyers: Pharoah 105; Honor Code 112

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by freddymo

CJ had a fairly strong view of race..118 on old scale 128 on the new version of figs.. 118 on the old scale is like a 111/112 BSF equivalent

That's much more believable.

It was far from the greatest performance I've ever seen, but 105 is not realistic either.

[asudevil]

He ran 1 ½ miles in 2:26.65 on the same card that a fair-to-middling group of older stakes horses covered the distance only .48 second slower. It was certainly a good effort: His Beyer Speed Figure of 105 was the best in the Belmont since 2007, but still a bit below the historical norm for the race.

I chuckled......

[Seattleallstar]

Point Given has still had the most visually and highest Beyer rated Belmont given a 114 in recent memory which is now 14 years ago. Damn time flies

[GenuineRisk]

I dunno; that Beyer piece seems to be a textbook example of damning with faint praise.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

I dunno; that Beyer piece seems to be a textbook example of damning with faint praise.

That much is obvious.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

That much is obvious.

What's obvious is that enjoying accomplishments for what they are while appreciating perspective which critical analysis offers has become impossible.

[Kasept]

Regardless of the quality of his individual performances, and regardless of what he does in the future, American Pharoah’s sweep of the three classics is an achievement more notable than those of the 11 horses who did it before him.

Beyer's praise is so faint that he single's out American Pharoah's Triple Crown as the more impressive than the 11 that came before.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by Kasept

What's obvious is that enjoying accomplishments for what they are while appreciating perspective which critical analysis offers has become impossible.

I agree.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

I dunno; that Beyer piece seems to be a textbook example of damning with faint praise.

I agree.. its by far my least favorite of all post race articles I've read.

[Antitrust32]

btw.. great show yesterday Steve. Are you going to have a write up? I always love how you recap big events.

Saturday was spectacular. So happy for all that got to be there.. and everyone watching from home. The emotion was very very intense. American Pharoah is one hell of an animal. That was a very impressive Belmont. Only one I've personally seen like it is Point Given's race (I started following horse racing in 1996 for perspective). It was so neat to see that horse pull away and know that it was really happening. I kept rewinding the coverage to re-watch the race.

My problem with the Beyer article is yes, this horse is another Secretariat, Affirmed and Seattle Slew. Of course there is never another horse like Secretariat. But American Pharoah has accomplished what they accomplished by becoming a triple crown winner. Also this horse is very similar to Seattle Slew in my opinion. I just don't understand the jab. Unless he is talking about their entire racing careers, which would be foolish because you can only really compare what you've seen so far.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

Also this horse is very similar to Seattle Slew in my opinion. I just don't understand the jab. Unless he is talking about their entire racing careers, which would be foolish because you can only really compare what you've seen so far.

Beyer later in the article cautions to reserve judgment on American Pharoah until his career is complete. Seeing how he is certain to retire at the end of the year, hopefully he doesn't continue to emulate Seattle Slew, who bombed in an tailored "appearance" race at Hollywood Park. (Secretariat also re-appeared post-TC in a "groomed" race--the Arlington Invitational). Seattle Slew seems to have had similar criticisms dogging his career, but at 4 he was afforded a huge opportunity to shut the naysayers down when he faced fellow Triple Crown winner Affirmed in the Marlboro Cup and delivered a knockout performance (not that beating a tired 3yo was unexpected). He followed it up with huge efforts in the important fall races at Belmont. Add in his near death experience during the previous winter and you have some nice elements to create a legend.

As for American Pharoah, a run at the Haskell-Travers double would be a feat no modern day TC ever accomplished. Affirmed won the Travers outright, but sawed off Alydar entering the far turn and was disqualified. As he won't be seen at 4, it will be nice to see the horse avoid appearance-fee races (although Monmouth tends to oblige) and focus on the prestige events this summer and fall.

Personally, I would love to see him attempt Easy Goer's late season campaign (i.e., Whitney, Travers, Woodward, JCGC), but I'm not sure if its even possible schedule-wise nowadays.