Good stats, but how many times pre-1978 have there been 9 or more starters in the Belmont Stakes?
That statistic is probably pretty low...
The fields for the TC races likely only started getting to be huge in recent years...but perhaps I am wrong.
This is why I suggested that smaller the field the better for California Chrome.
They had 11 in the gate in 2012 - 12 if I'll Have Another had been entered. I do not think that the number in the starting gate would have prevented I'll Have Another from bringing home the Triple Crown, just like I don't think 11 in the starting gate will prevent California Chrome.
He has been making history along the way, and I am certain if he wins the TC this will be one of many historic footnotes attached to the victory.
Quote from: Raven on May 21, 2014, 05:01:11 PM
Is it true that Victor is 2 for 65 at Belmont?
I think that is largely irrelevant.
He obviously was riding the best horse in only two of those races or issues interceded which prevented him from winning (see War Emblem's stumble at the gate).
In the Belmont Stakes, he will be riding the best horse.
For me what was important was that he raced several times on the Preakness undercard to get a feel for the track.
I hope his connections make certain that he does the same at Belmont Park on Stakes Day.
I think he has been doing a superlative job.
I do not want to jinx him, but we saw some concern about California Chrome breaking from the gate.
In both the Kentucky Derby and particularly the Preakness Stakes he broke sharply.
After the Kentucky Derby, there were concerns about the speed of the race - well he ran the fastest Preakness since Big Brown's 2008 victory.
People suggest that his pedigree is not adequate, but his grandfather is Pulpit and his great grandfather is AP Indy. His sire's dam was by Cozzene who was the 1985 Eclipse Award winning turf horse and led the North American General Sire list in 1996. His grandfather on his dam's side was sired by Mr. Prospector. His dam's dam was sired by a son of Danzig.
The horse was bred to run and that is what he does best from 5.5 furlongs to 10 furlongs and counting.
