Quote:
Originally Posted by Lemon Drop Husker
When exactly did :23.1, :48, and 1:13.1 become a 'slow' pace in the Belmont?
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I agree Husker. Did some quick chart lookups of recent Belmonts and I don't think one would conclude the pace is slow. The pace is slow relative to what was needed to push Justify, and also relative to the 23.37 first quarter, which was fast relative to the immediately succeeding quarters. The two 50 second half miles- the one from 1Q-3Q and 2Q-4Q- really made the difference in my view. Justify went quick early to establish himself, then got away with some soft middle splits. I happen to think the blocker helped him with that, especially when squeezing Bravazo going around the Clubhouse turn.
The first quarter by the way was the fastest as far as I could tell since Bob and John and High Finance dueled in Jazil's 2006 Belmont. Even one of the more famous Belmont's- Smarty Jones 2004 loss- went 24.33 and 48.65. What killed Smarty were the 47.50 1Q-3Q half, and sub 47 2Q-4Q half. Justify never endured those types of challenges, and he just cruised around there.
