by Steve Byk
first published on June 9, 2007

BELMONT, NY — A week before the 2007 Belmont Stakes, fans and pundits decried a potential edition of the standard devoid of intrigue, competitiveness or appeal. When Rags to Riches crossed the wire first after an epic duel with the ever-game Curlin, providing trainer Todd Pletcher with his initial Triple Crown event victory, those same critics roared their approval for a race that far exceeded expectation and left the 50,000 in attendence delighted.

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by Steve Byk
first published on May 22, 2006

Saturday’s horrific circumstances have affected race fans and non-fans alike and produced a flood of comments. Experts are debating the “quality of the breed”, the Triple Crown schedule and the specific circumstances of Barbaro’s travail. While I understand the general sentiments being expressed by people like Pat Forde, who called for Polytrack installation at all ovals, there are several elements to his piece (available at ESPN.com) that are contradictory and knee-jerk reactionary. 

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by Steve Byk
first published on June 7, 2004

In evaluating Smarty Jones’ failed attempt at a Triple Crown sweep Saturday at Belmont, we were reminded of the effective Walgreen’s drugstore advertisements that explain that none of us live in the town of “Perfect”.

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by Steve Byk
first published on May 20, 2004

With the Belmont Stakes looming as a final hurdle for Smarty Jones in his quest for the Triple Crown, talk of his breeding requires closer examination with the topic sure to be covered extensively over the next two weeks by the media. The colt is so obviously special, the type that enters the galaxy of racing on timetables like comets, with a multitude of contributions in his pedigree to account for his speed, tenacity and seemingly endless stamina. Though not a breeding expert, there are a number of things to impart in a discussion of his lineage on the dam side that may help everyone understand “how” Smarty Jones is able to do what he’s doing so effortlessly.

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