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Originally Posted by cj
I agree totally with this. People are saying he had an easy trip and wasn't challenged. I don't think those people paid much attention to be honest. He was challenged. They weren't sustained challenges though, because the other horses just weren't good enough.
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I look at the chart and I see leads of 1, 1/2, 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2 and 5 1/2 off of slow fractions on a very fast surface. If this weren't the Belmont and no Triple Crown was involved would you not, as a handicapper, describe it as a classic example of lone speed on the front end? There is always the chance a front runner won't stay the trip but it's a fundamental handicapping concept that horses considered the only early speed in the field have a distinct advantage. In fact, if I had conjured up a chart without the race name or the real names of the horses but kept the running lines, I don't believe there is one handicapper in ten who wouldn't conclude it was a perfect example of lone speed controlling the pace on the lead. But I know, this is different.
