I used to live on the track at Belmont in the late 80's and walked over that way for the good eats, went with a Jamaican groom so never got a second look. We were stabled in the open air stakes barn near the track. My first year (1998) Risen Star shipped in and rumors about health were widespread. They were put to rest the day prior when he blew out 33 3/5 and we saw him come back good. He had not been going to the track for several days and wondered what Louisiana voodoo kept him together. He ran the 2nd fastest Belmont to that point disposing of Winning Colors:
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The next year I watched Easy Goer pass by everyday on the way to the track en route to the 2nd fastest Belmont surpassing Risen Star's time. A crowd of just under 65,000 were on hand to witness Sunday Silence's Triple Crown attempt.
Fast forward to 2008, my next in person Belmont and the winner Da'Tara, a big let down from the 2nd and 3rd fastest Belmont's on record. Horses are certainly more brilliant than before but not at this distance. No one has run a negative number since 2007, Rags to Riches and Curlin. Anywhere from a TG 0 to 2 has been the norm. AP can X again as he did in the Preakness and prevail. Only an XX gets him out of the exacta and XXX out the super.
Paging Mr. Covello...........
