6/9 (BEL): 144th Belmont S. (G1), 5 Undercard Stakes

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

IHA would have crushed these. Paynter ran well and should have won. I don't think the diehard Union Rags supporters should feel any sort of vindication for his Derby loss. He is no better than the third best 3yo this year.

Can you believe that Baffert/Zayat finish 2nd in all 3 legs of the Triple Crown? And in all 3 legs they had clear leads in the stretch -- and with two different horses who NEVER even raced at age 2. Bode debuted going 5.5 furlongs in Mid Jan. Paynter debuted going 5.5 furlongs in Mid Feb.

There's a double 'what-if' to this years triple crown.

Trinniberg wired them today in the Woody Stephens. If he doesn't run in the Derby ... Bodemeister obviously runs away with the Derby and doesn't have to run gut-wrenching fractions.

Baffert, uncustomarily for him, kid gloved Bode into the Preakness. Would they have made the rail dead and the racetrack dull and tiring in the Preakness if the featured attraction was a speed-ball?

Could have easily been a triple crown on the line today with a different horse if not for the insane entry of Trinniberg in the Ky Derby.

[richard burch]

possible yet speculative theory.

I.H.A. caught him twice, that's no fluke.