Afleet Alex

Originally Posted by Flaxen Mane

Smarty was beat pretty good in the Belmont... Silver Charm and Real Quiet were barely beat, but a length or two is more than barely beat, IMO. If he'd have kept a cool head I think he'd have had it though.

As for his conformation and breeding, I don't see the problem. He has a pretty nice pedigree, albeit he doesn't have the distance in his blood that Bernardini has.... And as for his conformation, I dont'see any problems there either. For a quarter horse anyway.....

Smarty never gave up in the Belmont. He kept his form even though he was defeated. Birdstone did not run away from him after an utterly cruel 10f for Smarty. The horse was shaking in the stall afterwards and could barely stand. It was an absolutely amazing defeat in my eyes.
I dont really consider the lengths between horses in many races. I have seen horses win by a half a length that were by far the best and pulling away after not having been touched. I have seen horses win by 6 that are absolutely falling apart the last furlong.