Afleet Alex

[Justpat]

That was one of the most impressive performances I have ever seen.

He ran the second fastest last quarter in the history of the race.
He made the rest of them look like they were roller skating across
a desert.

[carpediem]

1. it was pretty incredible.

it looked like the rest of them were standing still.

very impressive.

[Justpat]

2. I was there up until the 8th race.

Then I came home to watch the Belmont on TV to avoid the crowds
when it's over.

Now I wish I'd stayed and witnessed it in person.

[Kingofalldems]

3. What was the final time?

Was it anywhere near Secretariat's time?

[u4ic]

5. I doubt it

the 1/2 went in something like 48.3. It's not up at Equibase yet, and I didn't hear them say the final time.

[two gun sid]

15. Nope. Secretariat went in 2:24:0. A perfect 12 clip for every....

furlong. That being said, AA ran an a great race. I felt a son of Northern Afleet would not get 1 1/2 miles. I was so wrong. I'm sorry for ever doubting Afleet Alex. He is a great race horse. For the first time in a long time I am looking forward to the Travers. This is a 3 YO that has a real shot at being HOY.

I gotta give props to Lost In The Fog and little Limehouse. They both ran great races. That had to be one of the best days of racing at Big Sandy in a long time. I gotta get over to Belmont one of these days.

[Justpat]

16. He has plenty of stamina on his dam's side.

Hawkster was by Roberto who has been a good influence for stamina.
So it wasn't a fluke that he could get the distance.

[two gun sid]

18. I just looked up his pedigree....

as a handicapper I was willing to bet against him getting 12F. I no
longer doubt his ability. He is a freak. He has run one bad race in his career and he had an excuse.

Richey says he will run as a 4YO. Man, I hope so. That hoss is exciting. He has the most explosive move I think I've seen since Secretariat. Between AA and LITF we are going to have some great racing this year. Let's hope they both stay sound.

[Justpat]

20. I'm glad the Breeder's Cup is at Belmont this year.

That way I won't have to travel far to see Ghostzapper and
Afleet Alex in the CLassic.

[u4ic]

19. Northern Afleet

is from one of the best female families around. He's from the same female family as Swain, Fantastic Light, Gorgeous, Tap To Music, Cape Town (who sired Southern Africa and Bird Town), and Queen's Plate winner Key to the Moon (and a number of good Canadian horses you've probably never heard of). And Northern Afleet did win up to 9f.

As Old Broad, said, AA's female family is all stamina. All the sires in the first 3 generations on his dam's side have won at 12f or longer.

[u4ic]

4. My jaw dropped

when they said 24.2 for the final quarter.

Un-frikkin-believable.

What a horse! :bounce:

[Awsi Dooger]

10. For reference purposes, just look back one year

Smarty Jones came home in a hedgehog 27.29 seconds over the final quarter. Birdstone wasn't exactly exploding down the stretch at 26.08 but that equated to 6 lengths faster than Smarty.

Well, I won nicely on Afleet Alex but gave back almost half my Alex profit by blowing 4 of the 7 matchup (one horse to beat another) props I wagered on. I should have just stuck to my post-Preakness simplistic analysis, that Afleet Alex displayed special athletic ability and grit in that race and would follow the "recent" trend of Little Current, Hansel, Risen Star and Point Given, dominating the final two legs after a lackluster finish at Churchill.

I just looked at my Derby tape and not much excuse for Afleet Alex. Might have moved a bit soon but he broke clear at the top of the stretch and was much closer to the rail than Giacomo or the place horse. That final quarter was very slow yet Alex was outfinished by several lengths over the final eighth. I don't really fault a jockey for impatience in the Derby. Too much risk being walled in a 20 horse field.

[u4ic]

11. I wasn't a fan of Smarty

I think he was much the best, of a lackluster crop. Some are doing better this year - Limehouse won a G2 today, Castledale's future looks to be on the turf, and Eddington is finally hitting his stride...but the rest...well...

The fact that Alex can do this on his own, without being pressed by another, is very impressive indeed.

I hope we see an Afleet Alex - Ghostzapper matchup in the BC Classic.

[Awsi Dooger]

13. I have future bets on Ghostzapper at 4/1 to win the Classic

Probably lost a bit of value today. I'm just rooting for Ghostzapper to stay healthy and make the race. If so, I'll take my chances at 4/1.

[Justpat]

6. The headline on the Blood Horse site:

Afleet Alex destroys Belmont field.

But no final time posted yet.

I couldn't make out if it was 2:26 and change or 2:28.

[u4ic]

8. Strange that Bloodhorse didn't mention the final time

they gave all the other fractions...

Thoroughbred Times did.

[u4ic]

7. 2:28.2

[Justpat]

9. Thanks.

[u4ic]

12. Equibase lists it as 2:28.4

[u4ic]

14. Videos of all the stakes at Belmont today

are up: http://www.nyra.com/Belmont/video.asp?track=B#

Lost In The Fog was once again impressive, and very nice race by Sand Springs...just unbeatable today.

Good Reward (who beat Artie Schiller today), Grand Reward...Lion Hearted, Lion Tamer...I keep on getting these horses mixed up! :silly:

[GOPisEvil]

17. I was really impressed by Limehouse.

I was sort of half-watching at first, but he just stayed out there. A very nice race.

[jakefrep]

21. Timeform's comments about Afleet Alex from the Preakness...

here ya go...

21/05/05 PIMLICO
9 furlongs, 110 yards. Fast 1 of 14 33/10f tfig rat 128 J. Rose
AFLEET ALEX (USA) is a thoroughly likeable colt and put up an impressive display to thrash his field, despite nearly being brought down on the home turn when he clipped Scrappy T's heels after the latter had swerved in front of him; switched closer to the inside from a wide draw soon after the start and patiently ridden, he made ground hand over fist before the final turn and was able to gather himself, lead 1f out and soon draw clear; early indications are that he has come out of the race unscathed, and he looks the one to beat in the Belmont Stakes, the 1½m likely to prove within his compass, particularly as he settles so well.

No comment yet posted for the Belmont.

[two gun sid]

22. Full Brother to 'Alex' Also Wins on Belmont Day

Thought this was kinda cool.

From The Bloodhorse:

On the same day Afleet Alex won the $1-million Belmont Stakes (gr. I), his full brother, Unforgettable Max, won a $47,000 allowance/optional claiming test across the Hudson River and down the Garden State Parkway at Monmouth Park.

Unforgettable Max, owned by Raymond Dweck, trained by Ben Perkins Jr., and ridden by Chris DeCarlo, took over in the lane in the 1 1/16-mile event and held on to win by a neck over On Thin Ice. Caiman was third.

Afleet Alex, three, and Unforgettable Max, five, are both by Northern Afleet--Maggy Hawk, by Hawkster. Afleet Alex was bred in Florida by John Martin Silvertand; Unforgettable Max was bred in Florida by John Devers and James Hatchett.


http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=28602