Thoroughbred racing fans have gone a long stretch without a Triple Crown winner--Affirmed in 1978 to be exact. I was lucky enough to be at the rail to see Affirmed win the Kentucky Derby with hometown boy Stevie Cauthen on board. Sure there have been some two jewel victors, but for a creepy jinx they have fallen flat. There are reasons: Belmont is a tough track, but the Triple Crown schedule is daunting for even the toughest horse and jockey. Sometimes, a horse just runs out of gas or has a bad day.
In 1998, Real Quiet was a perfectly great horse, good temperment, handily won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. It was a beautiful day at Belmont, the train ride from D.C. to New York was filled with fun loving racing fans. With a blink of the eye, Victory Gallop won the race by inches. You have never seen a more depressing party train for the ride home.
Can American Pharoah beat the jinx? Should he continue to wear cotton ear plugs because he hates loud noises? American Pharoah has proven he can run in slop, sunny days and has tremendous endurance and strength.Whatever he has been doing he should continue with some rest time sprinkled in until the June 6th Belmont Stakes.
The interesting component is that Tale of Verve in the current Preakness and Victory Gallop in 1998 had one thing in common. They hung loose in the back of the pack and closed with a sprint that was formidable.
Go American Pharoah--You Can Do It!
Update--June 6
We have a Triple Crown Winner. American Pharoah handily won the Belmont Stakes 2015.
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