The Jewel In The Crown? *Weekend Open Thread*

This is it. Finally, this is the day we find out if we have a Triple Crown winner in American Pharoah. Thank HEAVENS our flight time was changed so that we will actually be home in time to watch the running of the 147th Belmont Stakes. SO excited about it. I sure hope American Pharoah does it – it would be wonderful to have a Triple Crown winner after 37 years (Affirmed was the last Triple Crown winner in 1978). (Photo Credit: Horseracingnation.com)

Of note, this is the third time jockey Victor Espinoza has had at the Triple Crown. And as this USA Today article notes, Espinoza is hoping the “third time is the charm”:

[…] For the third time overall – and second year in a row – Espinoza will head to Belmont Park with a chance to win the Triple Crown, something no jockey in history has done more often.

It’s a record the 42-year-old native of Mexico can hardly believe, especially given that he was a relative newcomer to major stakes races when he went through it the first time on War Emblem in 2002.

But after losing a shot at that Triple Crown when War Emblem stumbled at the start of the Belmont and then riding California Chrome to a disappointing fourth-place finish last year, Espinoza hopes the third time will be the charm with American Pharoah, who powered through torrential rains and a sloppy track in Saturday’s Preakness and won by seven lengths.

“He did it pretty easy,” Espinoza said. “I didn’t have to ride him that hard. I had to encourage him out of the gate because I wanted to get out of that mess in there. It seemed he was good after the race. He looks pretty good. But it’s not easy, and I am not thinking about (the Belmont) right now. I’m just having fun.” […] (Click here to read the rest.)

It was total slop on the field after a sudden, torrential downpour, so I am not surprised that Espinoza had to encourage him out of the gate. But American Pharoah went to the lead and stayed there from beginning to the exciting end. Heck, American Pharoah won by a few lengths, so it wasn’t close for first (more so for the other positions). It was quite the race on such a wet, wet track. Hopefully, the Belmont will be a fast track.(Photo: FoxSports.com)

Naturally, American Pharoah won’t be the only horse racing in the Belmont. There will be quite a few other really good horses running, including some who have had more time off as this Guardian LV article highlights:

[…] American Pharoah is seen by private clocker Gary Young as the best horse he has ever seen in 35 years, as told to the communications department of Churchill Downs. He compared the colt to Michael Jordan and how he stays in the air. AP does that longer than any horse.

[…]

Another Belmont probable from trainer Todd Pletcher is Carpe Diem. He ran 10th in Kentucky race and skipped Preakness 2015 since co-owner WinStar Farm said he is “50-50.” With some wins in his name, he probably might be running along Pharoah at Belmont Park.

Conquest Curlinate is heading to the June 6 race as well, and one of Pharoah’s possible contenders at Belmont. Though not a Triple Crown nominee, nor a racer in neither Derby nor Preakness, trainer Mark Casse said he is a tough horse for this year’s Belmont Stakes.

Another Preakness 2015 winner AP’s possible contender at Belmont is Frammento. Pharoah ran along with Frammento at Kentucky, where the latter ran 11th place. As he can run all day, trainer Nick Zito said, Frammento looks like a Belmont horse. Zito won Belmont in 2004 and 2008 with Birdstone and Da’Tara.

Kentucky fourth-place runner Frosted may not be the most dynamic gray colt, but he managed to take his spot at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville despite some issues, such as, being taken by Joel Rosario five wide around the far turn. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin from New Work sees Frosted as a project, but his best race may be just ahead. He was not in Preakness 2015, and the Wood Memorial champion can be more than ready for Belmont. […] (Click here to read the rest.)

Frosted – oh, he is such a beautiful gray horse. I like him a lot as you might recall from my Kentucky Derby post. A Bleacher Report writer thinks Frosted is going to win it, at least as of this writing.

You just never know what is going to happen in horse racing. To achieve the Triple Crown is quite the feat, and not an easy one to obtain. Our beloved California Chrome failed last year. But you never know – this could be the year. I’m just glad I will be able to watch the running of the Belmont Stakes as it happens.

I imagine some things have been going on while I was out of the country (!). For those of you who could care less about the Triple Crown, or horse racing, or even if you do, now it’s your turn to weigh in. This is your Weekend Open Thread!

Tags: American Pharoah, Belmont Stakes, Frosted