The Belmont Winning Time

[RacingFan1992]

I gauge how well a horse runs by the time of the race. Secretariat holds the record for the 1 1/2 mile Belmont Stakes which was set in 1973. Prior to that the record was held by Gallant Man in 1957 with a time of 2:26 3/5. The record before that was tied between Count Fleet (1943) and Citation (1948) in 2:28 1/5.

The small minority of horses who get into the 2:26 club is amazing.
(1989) Easy Goer 2:26,
(1992) A.P. Indy 2:26.13,
(1988) Risen Star 2:26.40,
(2001) Point Given 2:26.56,
(1957) Gallant Man 2:26.60,
(1978) Affirmed 2:26.80, and
(1994) Tabasco Cat 2:26.82.

and to add to this list is American Pharoah who ran the Belmont in 2:26.65. To have a horse tie the old Belmont Stakes speed record shows the quality of this horse. Also the only other horse who Bob Baffert trained to win the Belmont was Point Given in 2001. I have knocked Bob and AP for various reasons but I take it all back due in part because of the winning time. Had AP won the race in 2:30 and change I would look at him in a different light. Welcome to the club of Triple Crown winners, American Pharoah.

[PaceAdvantage]

I smiled even wider when I saw that final time. This is a scary-good horse. He toys with all of us.

[RacingFan1992]

I thought SON OF A BITCH! it's gonna be 2:30+ but damn near dropped when it read 2:26 3/5. Just remember we all here liked the sport before it was cool.

[Relwob Owner]

Originally Posted by RacingFan1992

I thought SON OF A BITCH! it's gonna be 2:30+ but damn near dropped when it read 2:26 3/5. Just remember we all here liked the sport before it was cool.

Exact same reaction. I thought 2:28-2:29 was likely and when I saw 2:26 3/5, I figured no one could poke holes in AP.....then, I saw some posts on here and realized that wasn't the case!

[Vinnie]

I did the very same thing PA... I was like "You GO AP"!!!

[PaceAdvantage]

Here's a few thoughts...for those who wanted Materiality to run with AP early, going by the chart, Materiality was only a 1/2 length behind AP after 4 furlongs...

And look at those internal fractions...pretty damn amazing:

24.06
24.77
24.58
24.58
24.34
24.32

Digest that for a moment...then get back to me about how this horse is a fake.

[PaceAdvantage]

He runs one of the fastest final times in Belmont Stakes history, actually gets FASTER as the race goes longer, and still there are people who are claiming this horse is "dressed up."

Friggin' hilarious...

[JustRalph]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

He runs one of the fastest final times in Belmont Stakes history, actually gets FASTER as the race goes longer, and still there are people who are claiming this horse is "dressed up."

Friggin' hilarious...

and his ears were pricked and he seemed very comfortable. That's the impressive part if you ask me. I watched the after race after the gallop out and he didn't seem winded at all. My wife commented after watching the replay,

"he looks like he could have gone more'

If he was mine. He would never race again. I would put him up.

[Cicada]

I was very impressed. I felt the Derby was his toughest race by far. After that I felt he had a strong chance to win it all. Does that mean all the "fresh horses" meme goes south? This was the only horse to run the gauntlet of all three TC races.

[RacingFan1992]

Originally Posted by Cicada

I was very impressed. I felt the Derby was his toughest race by far. After that I felt he had a strong chance to win it all. Does that mean all the "fresh horses" meme goes south? This was the only horse to run the gauntlet of all three TC races.

DAMNIT CAROLYN! Well American Pharoah shut Mr. Coburn up who said it would never happen in his life time.

[SharpCat]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

He runs one of the fastest final times in Belmont Stakes history, actually gets FASTER as the race goes longer, and still there are people who are claiming this horse is "dressed up."

Friggin' hilarious...

Runs the 2nd fastest Belmont Stakes of all the Triple Crown winners and they still not pleased. I wonder what they think about Seattle Slew, Citation, Assault, Count Fleet, Whirlaway, War Admiral, Omaha and Gallant Fox. There final times ranged between 2:28.20-2:31.60. What donkeys they must have been

[Cratos]

Originally Posted by RacingFan1992

I gauge how well a horse runs by the time of the race. Secretariat holds the record for the 1 1/2 mile Belmont Stakes which was set in 1973. Prior to that the record was held by Gallant Man in 1957 with a time of 2:26 3/5. The record before that was tied between Count Fleet (1943) and Citation (1948) in 2:28 1/5.

The small minority of horses who get into the 2:26 club is amazing.
(1989) Easy Goer 2:26,
(1992) A.P. Indy 2:26.13,
(1988) Risen Star 2:26.40,
(2001) Point Given 2:26.56,
(1957) Gallant Man 2:26.60,
(1978) Affirmed 2:26.80, and
(1994) Tabasco Cat 2:26.82.

and to add to this list is American Pharoah who ran the Belmont in 2:26.65. To have a horse tie the old Belmont Stakes speed record shows the quality of this horse. Also the only other horse who Bob Baffert trained to win the Belmont was Point Given in 2001. I have knocked Bob and AP for various reasons but I take it all back due in part because of the winning time. Had AP won the race in 2:30 and change I would look at him in a different light. Welcome to the club of Triple Crown winners, American Pharoah.

I went against AP twice and loss. I didn't bet against him because I thought he was a "fake"; I was gambling that he had distance limitations and I was dead wrong.

I believe that AP has demonstrated that he has the tenacity of Affirmed with the high cruising speed of Seattle Slew and that is a very rare combination.

Will he lose? Yes he will, but I think it will be a "form cycle" downturn not a talent loss.

There are 4 major 1-1/4m races left in this year: The Travers (3yos), The JCGC (3yo&U), The Pacific Classic (3yo&U), and the Breeders' Cup Classic (3yo&U).

I believe after Baffert refreshes AP he will probably run him in a "tightener" as a prep for one of the aforementioned stakes.

If he completes and win any of the 4 races we will be talking about him as we speak of Dr. Fager, Secretariat, and Man O' War and he will deserve such recognition.

[BlueChip@DRF]

Originally Posted by RacingFan1992

DAMNIT CAROLYN! Well American Pharoah shut Mr. Coburn up who said it would never happen in his life time.

Did he die?

[powerrun]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

He runs one of the fastest final times in Belmont Stakes history, actually gets FASTER as the race goes longer, and still there are people who are claiming this horse is "dressed up."

Friggin' hilarious...

Well stated indeed!

[clocker7]

So hardened bettors only look at raw times now?