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twogunsid

(1,606 posts)
Tue Jun 5, 2018, 06:25 PM Jun 2018

Justify draws the rail....

....in the Belmont.
1.Justify, Mike Smith, 4-5
2.Free Drop Billy, Robby Albarado, 30-1
3.Bravazo, Luis Saez, 8-1
4.Hofburg, Irad Ortiz, Jr., 9-2
5.Restoring Hope, Florent Geroux, 30-1
6.Gronkowski, Jose Ortiz, 12-1
7.Tenfold, Ricardo Santana, Jr., 12-1
8.Vino Rosso, John Velazquez, 8-1
9.Noble Indy, Javier Castellano, 30-1
10.Blended Citizen, Kyle Frey, 15-1

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Justify draws the rail.... (Original Post) twogunsid Jun 2018 OP
Will he do it?!?! Ohiogal Jun 2018 #1
He's done everything right so far.... twogunsid Jun 2018 #5
Video of Justify's final work from yesterday.... twogunsid Jun 2018 #2
As we know, the Triple Crown is one of the most elusive set of championships in sports. yallerdawg Jun 2018 #3
Free Belmont Stakes 2018 past performances now available twogunsid Jun 2018 #4
Getting exciting..... a kennedy Jun 2018 #6
Yep. I'm ready for the race.... twogunsid Jun 2018 #7
..... Kingofalldems Jun 2018 #8
If the pace is right... Kingofalldems Jun 2018 #9
Getting so nervous......... a kennedy Jun 2018 #10
Hello??? Why is Mike Smith wearing different silks?? a kennedy Jun 2018 #11
Amazing Triple Crown run.... twogunsid Jun 2018 #12
Here's a Daily Racing Form article regarding the blocking tactics from Restoring Hope's jockey Awsi Dooger Jun 2018 #13
I read this the day you posted it.... twogunsid Aug 2018 #14

yallerdawg

(16,104 posts)
3. As we know, the Triple Crown is one of the most elusive set of championships in sports.
Tue Jun 5, 2018, 07:05 PM
Jun 2018

Justify slogged through two grueling, wet, muddy tracks and - rain or shine - if Justify pulls this out at the Belmont, this IS another thoroughbred for the ages!

a kennedy

(29,467 posts)
11. Hello??? Why is Mike Smith wearing different silks??
Sat Jun 9, 2018, 07:43 PM
Jun 2018

Those colors are not from the Derby, or the Preakness...... or am I out of my mind..... We’ll DuckDuckGo is my friend....and he’s wearing the colors of the China Horse Club.

twogunsid

(1,606 posts)
12. Amazing Triple Crown run....
Sun Jun 10, 2018, 12:33 PM
Jun 2018

....Justify becomes the 13th Triple Crown winner and only the second undefeated TC winner joining the immortal Seattle Slew in that elite club. He broke the Apollo curse by winning the Derby after not racing as a 2yo. And he did it all in 111 days.

Baffert joins the great Billy Turner as a trainer of an undefeated Triple Crown champ and became the 2nd two time TC winning trainer. He and the legendary Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons (Gallant Fox and his son Omaha) make up that small club. Not bad for a quarter horse guy.

 

Awsi Dooger

(14,565 posts)
13. Here's a Daily Racing Form article regarding the blocking tactics from Restoring Hope's jockey
Mon Jun 11, 2018, 03:15 AM
Jun 2018

We talked about this at length in a General Discussion thread on Saturday night, specifically in regard to blocking Noble Indy from moving forward to take the early lead. I don't see any problem with it but there's no question Florent Geroux on Restoring Hope was running tactical interference for Justify more than maximizing his own mount's chances:

http://www.drf.com/news/horsemen-question-gerouxs-ride-restoring-hope

"John Velazquez, the rider of Vino Rosso, said he felt Geroux rode Restoring Hope in a manner to protect Justify.

“Why would you send a horse that breaks bad and take everybody out, then come back in?” Velazquez, a Hall of Fame rider, said. “That’s his job, to protect the other horse and it worked for them. You have to give it to them."

<snip>

"Castellano said his horse broke slowly and hit the side of the gate. He said he tried to get the horse forwardly placed, but soon realized he wasn't going to be able to get ahead of Justify.

“He wanted me to be on the lead, but I didn’t have enough speed to get to the lead,” Castellano said. “I made an effort, but I got to the point where I had to give up. How far can I go - 10 wide - and try to go to the lead? I can’t.”

Pletcher, the trainer of Noble Indy, confirmed that the plan was to have that horse in a forward position early.

“Javier opted to go to his plan B,” Pletcher said. “Mike and I didn’t discuss a plan B.”

Repole said Castellano will likely not ride for him for the near future.

“You get to run in this race one time in your life, you would expect to follow directions,” Repole said. “He chose an audible, that doesn’t sit well with me. It’ll be awhile before you see Javier in the blue and orange silks.”

twogunsid

(1,606 posts)
14. I read this the day you posted it....
Fri Aug 10, 2018, 03:32 PM
Aug 2018

Last edited Fri Aug 10, 2018, 08:17 PM - Edit history (1)

....but I wanted to think about it before I started spouting off about it.

I think Pletcher and Repole got out trained and out gunned by a much better horse in Justify. Even if Baffert did send that horse out there to block for Justify it is a tactic that is as old as the sport itself. Everyone should have known that it was possible and should have had a Plan B. Javier is not to blame.

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