Another handicapping angle that must be considered is that Rachel Alexandra is a 3yr old filly being asked to come back on 2 weeks rest, against the toughest competition she has ever faced. No reasonable owner or trainer would ever ask that of a quality 3yo filly. The likelihood of a bounce is extremely high - unfortunately for her, the likelihood of a serious injury is very high as well.

Big Drama, Pioneer Of The Nile, Friesan Fire, one of them will win the race. The quicker fractions and the fact she'll be either parked wide or have to settle back too far to catchup will do her in. She's not that quick out of the start and there are others here that have just as good of a closing kick as she. She better bring her apron so all the dirt being kicked back at her doesn't mess her "skirt".

How about a Dead Heat between Mine That Bird and RA LOL!  I just want a safe day and who-ever wins is who wins.  

I think Rachel is a tuff FILLY AND SHE WILL BE A HARD ONE TO BEAT!. IT is always a gamble but i would put it to Rachel and Mine that bird to be at the very top

Doesn't matter how slow or fast the pace is, RA towers over these colts and she will prove it on Sat.

A filly in 1897 named Imp ran 50 times in one year.So it was possible for top horses to run far more than twice a week.Is Rachel Alexandra that much more fragile than Imp that she can't even come back off a rest of two weeks?

Imp was three when she ran her 50 race season.

After a brief period of denial,from which the experts continue to suffer,I have gained considerable respect for Mine That Bird. My eyes do not lie! He decimated the Derby field!He's a baby. A May 10th foal! He was winning stakes races at 18 months! I hope he destroys the field. He just turned 3 and he's a badass!

I think that Rachel Alexandra will put in a quality performance, regardless if she wins or not. There have been comments about the filly coming off a two week rest and this gives her a disadvantage. However, there has been no comments about the other seven entries having a disadvantage for running in the Derby two weeks ago. If anything, Rachel has a slight edge for having one extra day of racing, since the Oaks occurred before the Derby.

I'm not big handicapper, but I think Rachel will be the one to watch, given her jockey and experience going two turns, as well as Big Drama's speed and Mine that Bird's ability as he showed in the Derby (if he is the same horse we saw in the Kentucky Derby, that is).

And nothing towards Spencer Robinson who commented earlier, but the likelihood of a serious injury towards any horse is the same in any race. Rachel's being a filly doesn't make her anymore susceptible or likely for injury than the rest of the field.

Remember Woolley said of NTB, "Nothing bothers this horse."  I guess so since he went thru such a small hole switching leads so effortlessly at 40 mph.  Drama ain't a factor for him.

It will be his turn of foot that may or may not beat RA.  And we know he "skips" over the tract.  His speed in the last part of the Derby was phenomenal.

In RA we see a spectacular specimen of Thoroughbred, male or female.  In the little gelding we see uncommon determination and heart.  I liken it to War Admiral and Seabiscuit, and we know the outcome of that race - at Plimlico Nov. 1, 1938

I think Rachel may be the best horse in the field, but not for the Preakness. I don't understand why she would be brought back from the Oaks to the Preakness, if your going to run a triple crown race, wait and come back in the Belmont Stakes like Rags to Riches in '07.

I don't buy the post position as a curse since the field isn't always this big, but there will be enough horses near the pace that i think Rachel will have issues. Remember, she has never been far from the pace this year.

Genuine Risk ran in all three Triple Crown races. She won the Derby, and finished second in the other two. Winning Colors also ran in all three. She was outrun in the Belmont, but really didn't have the pedigree for the mile-and-a-half.

Spencer Robinson - you remind me of MTB and PON connections....horse is ok to come back and run after 2 weeks, but filly is not?? What's that supposed to mean? That fillies are weaker? In Europe, where I came from, fillies do run against boys all the time. Nobody considers them as a "under-horse" category. Show me one proof that fillies break down more often than boys....or that fillies break down more often running against boys than running against girls. The argument "she shouldn't run in Preakness because she's a filly" - sounds like scream of my 3 year old in a sand box when somebody is trying to steal his toy. Horse is a horse - boy or girl, if she is fit - she should run. I, as a fan will love to see her compete, this race brings more excitement than the Derby! Go girl and show them! May all of the horses come back sound, with the girl on the front :-)

seeing as the win in the Oaks was more like a paid workout, she should be fine. I think she will win.

Spencer is correct. Fillies don't often successfully compete with males in the spring. There is a reason that there are so few distaff winners of triple crown races. Rachel Alexandra is very impressive but to ask her to take on the best three year olds in North America in mid-May with only two weeks between races is, I believe, asking too much of her.

The track condition, once again, will be a big factor. Big Drama will set the pace . . . but it won't be a pace with only Rachel as the stalker. Papa Clem will in in the front flight and Friesan Fire will be up close. Based on what happened in the Derby I can see Mine That Bird coming through again and at a good price. After all, he won the Derby by MORE THAN SIX LENGTHS. If Pioneer of the Nile or Friesan Fire did the same in the Derby they would be the hot favorite over Rachel. Look out for the Bird!!!!!!!!!!

last year BREEDERS CUP JUV. GRADE ONE WINNERS AFTER    PIONEER OF THE NILE-MINE THAT BIRD.AFTER THE PREAKNESS CAN WE ADD TERRAIN TERAIN TERAIN

I've stopped analyzing the race because this is a really deep field whatever happens happens. So, may the best horse win.

LOOKING BACK AT THE DELTA JACKPOT RACE THE PACE WAS SUPER SUPER FAST.TERRAIN AND BIG DRAMA WERE IN RACE

First of all, I'd really like to stop hearing about Rachel's 2 weeks between racing being too little time.

If that's the case, then NO Derby horse should be running in the Preakness, and none ever should have, or should again (after all, they all have one day less than Rachel, or any Oaks runner does).

Her gender has NOTHING to do with it. NOTH-ING. Ever see her run?

Because a scant few fillies have even been entered in the Preakness, perhaps people are finding it hard to find a comparison.

Here are some very brief facts:

53 fillies have ever been entered in Preakness history, and they have 4 wins, 5 places and 7 shows. Not for nothing, there have also never been any filly to break down or be injured in the race. Excellent Meeting was eased in 1999, but NOT for any injury, just because she was hopelessly beaten, in the mind of...none other than Kent Desormeaux. Seems Kent's Belmont mount had that exact same 'issue' last year. Hmmm....

Back to Rachel...I think it's fair to say this is the best 3yo in active training right now. Of any gender.

For all the sensible reasons listed about--the 2 turn experience/wins, the track condition seemingly a big "Who cares?" for her, Borel aboard, etc... and she's a big, imposing filly in height (if not necessarily in bulk) who shouldn't be intimidated by who's in the gate with her.

No one knows how good Rachel is (yet), because she has not been tested, and not been asked. She may or may not have that opportunity tomorrow. She could go out an fall apart mentally (doubtful, IMO)...or she could positively crush them.

The race will tell the tale better than any theory, facts and figures or PPs show.

That said, on paper, she is absolutely the one to beat. My personal opinion is that the only thing to defeat her will be her own mind, if she can't handle males. But let's remember this is the same filly who was 2 furlongs into a work the Monday before the Oaks, had to be completely stopped due to an accident on the track, was taken back to the barn and walked, then returned to the track and breezed her remaining 4 furlongs. She never turned a hair. That's a LOT to ask of any horse in the midst of a work, let alone a 3yo baby. (and if you've ever seen Rachel out galloping, to say she's headstrong and full of herself is putting it mildly).

She is my pick to win, with Pioneerof The Nile possibly right there at the end, and on pure gut instinct with the drama of this week (in other words, NOT based on anything terribly realistic), I am going to be keeping and eye on Luv Gov, as well.

At the risk of lynching by those who may believe otherwise...I do not expect Mine That Bird to be anywhere to be found at the wire.

Go get 'em Rachel. Jackson would like that third HOTY in a row ;)

I think one factor in RA's favor is the outside post - it will keep her from getting boxed in by the others should they conspire to do that.   It'll be a great race!!

What worries me about RA in the Preakness has nothing to do with her gender. My concerns are:

Too much changes and not enough time to get acclimated to new barn, new trainer, etc...

My second worry is Mine That Bird... I like him better and better every day.

And what is my concern re MTB?

Only one: Rachel Alexandra!!!

Wow, what a nice response.  Thanks to all who stopped by.  I'll tackle each comment in order.

SPENCER ROBINSON, I tend to agree with your points except she's been pretty sound up to now.  Let's pray she and the males come back safe.

effy,she's quick enough as she won sprinting wire/wire in :57.50 at two...but I wonder what kind of stamina she'll have if the opening 1/2 is :46 and change?  Brutal skirt comment...

StardustyRose...great thoughts.

Ramzi Abuhaidar...good luck with your dream Oaks/Derby exacta combo.

Homey...she certainly wins like there's more speed we haven't seen.  She's been able to gallop early vs. inferior fillies and I wonder if she's enough of an alpha filly when she feels the testosterone of the boys early, middle, and late from that post...that can't be measured until they race.

Citation...RACHEL from all reports is a massive filly so running in 1:48.87, no matter the ease, has an adverse affect on her anatomy...as it does for the boys that ran in the Derby.  I believe the Preakness, on a fast track, has always been the true measure of class in the Triple Crown.  Anticipation is a wonderful thing!

mgpond...it's very possible MTB turned the corner, but it's just as possible that he got a dream trip on a track he loved and others didn't.  We'll find out soon enough, but 50-1 to 6-1 is like buying a stock at or near the peak value.

Shelbie...RACHEL is the straw that stirs the Preakness drink like BIG BROWN was last year.  She's got the winning style but does she measure up in class??? That's why they run the races.

merrywriter...can't question MTB's will to win, but I do question if he can win against this kind when presented with a fast track.  Two Sunland Park losses on fast tracks don't inspire confidence.

I keep hearing Ruffian's name mentioned when people speak of Rachel. I think Rachel is very special but references to Ruffian are a bit premature. The younger fans born after Ruffian's time never will understand the phenomenon. When she was on the track she stood out from everyone else because she physically looked different than everybody else.  I have never seen any other horse with the same stride as her either.  Because her legs were so long, to me, it always looked like her legs with flailing out sideways with each stride and I have NEVER seen another horse run like that.

This is all nonsense.  Everyone knows this is another romp for RA. Just watch and enjoy perfection.

It's been 31 years...if RACHEL is truly best, she'll win despite your concerns.  

Supposedly, the Preakness is clean this year and will be won by the classiest and soundest individual on a fast track.

WindyCity...can't compare fillies racing in Europe to those in the U.S. on dirt.  The grass is the key that allows distaffers to compete with the boys.  Races are usually run slow early, fast late.  On the dirt in the U.S., races are fast early and slow late.  Tom Brohammer's Modern Pace Handicapping is a wonderful book that illustrates this point.

JOANR...does an easy win prepare RACHEL for the toughest race in her life?  Horses are injured during workouts as well, and the fact she ran 1:48.87 tells me the race was much harder than a workout.  She wins only if she's far and away the class of this field, just like any of the boys should she be defeated.  We'll know soon enough, but isn't it fun sharing opinions before the result?

wista...MTB huh?  Remember, the track was sloppy/sealed.  Unless the same conditions are present MTB either makes a turn move and tires like he did in the Sunland Derby or presses the pace and is part of a fast early/slow late flow that will favor the closers.

steve s...TERRAIN is a great longshot pick.  3rd race in the form cycle, twice defeated PIONEER (BC Juvenile - 4th, Breeders' Futurity - 2nd).  However, his dull Blue Grass run suggested he hasn't progressed from the Kee race last Oct.  Could provide the value in the exotics.

The Delta Jackpot wasn't TERRAIN...blinkers had him too close to a fast colt.

Check out a piece I wrote on my old blog about TERRAIN last year when I actually suggested him as my Kentucky Derby horse (horseplayerpro.21publish.com/.../09).  Scroll down to August 17, I hope you enjoy it.

KMAUER...perhaps you are the wisest!

GetThatBirdRachel...the fun in this exchange is the opinions we share, and yours is well stated and thought out.  Not many have called my reasoning "sensible", thank you :)!  RACHEL is the new face, much like BERNARDINI in '06...difference was that he was 12.70-1 while RACHEL will be close to even money at post time.  She may be the best, but that's awful short odds for many commenters (and me) to take.  Mind if I counter with a PotN-RACHEL exacta?

I don't think the two week turnaround makes a difference.If she is the best horse,she should win.If not,she shouldn't.

Why are so many people hung up on the two weeks thing?  Everyone seems hooked on statistics.  If we look at thousands of races of all classes we see that statistics are just a set of mathematical statements.  We tend to like things in nice organized packages, but life is not that way.  So many things go on during just one race that the outcome can take many forms.  Why don't you all just watch the race and enjoy it.  After all someone is going to be first but all of those running are winners.  And don't forget, the Derby was run two weeks ago too.

Rachel Alexandra is going to go from the gate. She has to move first from her outside post so as not to be floated out further. She will not make it to the rail, the inside speed will insure that. With the pressure immediately behind her from the second pack, she is going to be forced into a speed duel trying to get position. This effort will be her downfall.

Mine That Bird will be closing from the third tier, to the outside of the leaders and the second tier runners.

I don't handicap this result as being very different from the Derby finish. Mine That Bird is the value play for win both from past performance, present condition, and return on odds, on a Fast or Wet Track.

(If one watches his two races prior to the Derby, you see a trip handicapper's dream.)

Clem, Nile, Man, and some what less Quarter will be in the second tier closing on the speed, and it just remains to be seen who gets the cleanest trip as to where they place. Terrain should be used underneath for the bottom of Trips/Supers, but I can't really make him better then 3rd/4th. A freak 2nd would only come about if the other four all have major trouble.

So it looks to me Mine That Bird will win. Track conditions or not, his last eighth in the Derby only made the other horses look like they were not handling the track.

Giving therefore not so much the horse's connections, but more so the handicappers the excuse as to why he won.

In Jest-But Maybe Not-

I mean, we can't have a super horse if the only sports section that picked him to win the Derby was the Roswell Saucer Weekly, who's writer does double duty reporting on alien visits.

Can We?

Seriously-

May we see a great-safe race for all involved, and best to all with their handicapping/picks. This race is what makes horse racing fun.                

If "Justwhistledixie" runs in the Oaks and loses to Rachel by 4 lengths; do you think we'd be hearing the same type of buzz.  The 20 plus lengths is playing into this.  She's going 1 and 3/16.  She's part of a serious audible in terms of planning.  Pletcher had his target as the Belmont and lots of time to work the plan.  Personally, I like the betting angle in trying to beat her. She's an underlay.  What ever speed figs., you follow, i'm not paying too much attention to any of the thoughts that she's been under restraint.  Borel rides her loose from the start.  We'll see.  If she is the second coming of Ruffian, that's great!  But, I would have been just as happy as a fan to see her face Zenyatta in the BC.  Jess Jackson is not afraid to put up the L's on his crusade to save the industry.  When they get to the one mile and 1/16 point; Rachel, Drama, F-Fire and P-O-N will have seriously engaged.  i'm looking for Papa Clem to grind it out and get past that group in the end.  nice blog!

I think that 13 horses in the field with thunderstorms in the forecast right at post time may be the deciding factor in this race. How many of them have run in a driving rain?

Watching Rachel going to the paddock for schooling my impression of her was a relaxed but confident filly that was all business.No prancing and jumping. he is a beautiful animal and with her chin tucked in she had a regal look.

Citation

These horses today are so different.  I agree with your comment but even in the 70's when we had our triple crown tri-o, the horses were a lot different and a hell of a lot more sound than they are now.  They are not getting better.  They are getting worse cause of the breeding.  

I saw Rachel run and win in the pouring down rain in New Orleans...a little later I saw Fresian Fire do it.  There were a lot of good horses that day, including Terrain and Papa and I am a HUGE FF fan...but nobody had the precense that Rachel did.  She's a freak.  She looked like a colt.  

At this point I gave up on handicapping and am going to settle for an exciting and safe run by all.

I am a big Rachel fan.  My only concern is I have a fear about history repeating itself.  And of course I will refer to Ruffian.  In the great match race the jockey chose Ruffian over Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure.  I will be rooting for Rachel today.  And once I am sure that all horses are safe, I will rewind my DVR and watch the race!!  I also like Fresian Fire and Terrain!!

LET ME BE THE FIRST TO SAY WOW!!!  I WAS WRONG ABOUT RACHEL AND MINE THAT BIRD.

They are at the top of the heap in this 3y.o. division.

ZENYATTA had better have her runnin' shoes on come BC Ladies Classic time!!!  Hell, why not have them go against the boys in the BC Classic with

MINE THAT BIRD back on synthetics.

Hey J - your post made me feel good, i thought i was the only one that didnt watch the race until i found out all was well! how sad is that?

  hope they take care of RA, don't know why they made her run in the preakness - she won, but struggled, she could have lasted lots longer picking her spots. what's with all the media hype "i've never seen RA look so happy as she's been the last 3 days". WTF?

 i agree the breeding is taking it's toll, and a big filly like her doesnt 'dig in', they struggle and their stride goes off, and then you've got trouble.

Dray...you were right about Rachel but dead wrong about MTB. He is not a "fluke" and in my opinion a shoe in for the Belmont. Rachel was a joy to watch!!!!! Poetry in motion.

Its fun to read back over these blogs after the race. All the naysayers........

 Rachel Alexandra showed today what a great filly she is but she is no Ruffian,I don,t think any filly will be another Ruffian.On Mine That Bird,he ran a good race showing that his Kentucky Derby win was no fluke.On Calvin Borel I

think he could have won the Preakness on the first two home.

Hopefully, this puts paid to all the "fluke" comments (and the "donkey" comments).

Now, on to the Belmont (and a flip so MTB is first and RA second).

Fun Triple Crown this year ... even if the same horse didn't win all three!

(And I agree: RA and Zenyatta in the Classic Classic this year - none of that namby-pamby "Ladies" Classic crap)

RA impressed the heck out of me today, especially considering all the changes in the past two weeks. That filly is TOUGH. Congrats to Calvin and hats off to Asmussen for a classy move to credit Hal Wiggins at the presentation.

MTB proved he is the best of the boys. Talk about gutsy runs, one right after the other. Looks like the fluke was the issue of running style early in the year. As much fun as I had watching RA, I had just as much fun watching MTB weave in and out of the field like a game horse running poles. Tremendously handy horse.

Hope both come out of the race well, hope RA takes to the Belmont track like a duck to water, and can't wait to see if MTB has it in him to run her down without any traffic issues.  

Karen2

So right about Mine That Bird.  He is surely the best 3 year old this year for a colt.  :)  Love it!

The Fluke got WHIPPED !!! Catching Musket Man in the last 50 yards for second does nothing for me.  The Fluke still has only won 1 race ALL YEAR.  Rachel showed everyone who the best horse is this year. She won from the 13 post and was pressed all the way around forcing her to run very fast fractions.  The Fluke got the perfect setup and still never got close.  Rachel romped and showed everyone who the real champion is.

She won by a diminishing length and to a "fluke" at that. He is one little amazing horse. What a thrill it is to watch him run.The best thing about MTB is that we will get to see him run many more races as there will be no breeding shed for him.

RA...life and death to put away the "fluke". Perfect trip? Once again Dray you continue to show your pedestrian view of horse racing. Oh, and by the way do you always jump on the band wagon of the hot horse of the day.

MikeM

3/4 of a length LOL.  :)

Funny title for this blog...will "Big" Preakness "Drama" unnerve RA...we know it didn't MTB! What did Mike Smith say? "Bravest little horse I ever rode"

Dray, I want a fluke like him...5 of 10, 2 show, the Kentucky Derby, 2nd in the Preakness, 2 year-old Canadian Champ, multiple graded stakes & stakes winner, earner of $1,637,200...fastest mud Derby ever, fastest closing quarter since 1934....please, Lord, bless me with such a fluke!

RA handled herself well, a little more nervous than I remember, but really well...

What TWO GREAT Champions. I wanted Rachael AND Bird to win the Preakness. Rachel is a very impressive girl, and showed she is a true racehorse, but I worry about her if she is to run the Belmont. Calvin said she was having a tough time of it..especially at the end....so I fear, the Belmont being a longer race, she could really injure herself. They push and try hard and with her determination, to be infront, (because she always was infront with the girls, which she is used to), this is when they get injured. Just like 8 Belles.....they have that winning heart,and try even tho they cant anymore.

I did admire and respect her last owner. Not wanting to run her with the boys. SHe is a great filly and doesnt NEED to prove anything else! SO, why run her in the Belmont? They were just LUCKY, that she didnt get hurt.....now they cant leave well enough alone.

They are making it out to be a race against her and the Bird....just like Ruffian, this is not good. Rachel can still race with the girls and retire to be a broodmare.....safe and sound!..or will we kill her too?...never good enough for people, and the animal suffers.

I dont think Bird got all the recognition he should have tho. He is some horse....and will do well in the longer Belmont. That is where he shines!

Godspeed to both and may they stay safe.

It has been fun to read all the pre-/post-Preakness dialogue.  I'll tackle the post race responses starting with the latest this time.

RUFFIAN...They're probably gonna market it that way while they see how RACHEL eats up, checks out physically.  Let's not forget MTB has had two hard races in four weeks as well and there's no guarantee he'll make it either.  However, he's lighter and may recover better.  Agree the Belmont should be his game, his sire BIRDSTONE ran down SMARTY JONES in the Belmont back in '04.

Let's hope she gets a break from the boys until later this summer.  I'm reading Haskell is a possibility.

DA3HOSS...title was to mean BIG DRAMA's pace pressure, a male's presence, could undo the amazon.  Tell me, do you think the track was really "fast"???  The two w/ good recent form I figured to move up on "off" going finished 1-2.

RE: MTB...it's possible he'll add an Eclipse award for champion 3y.o. to his list of accomplishments.

RE: RA...BOREL said she didn't handle the track, that makes her win more amazing.

MIKE M...no doubt MTB substantiated his Derby win with this effort.  Do you think DRAYNAY will concede he's not a "fluke", if you will concede that RA is a superior racehorse (speed, stamina, class vs. MTB's stamina, class).

DRAYNAY...can you concede MTB isn't a "fluke" considering he was a close 2nd and didn't finish off the board?  Your point about RA is valid...I believe that if these two ran against each other three times, RA wins all three.  However, that doesn't make MTB a fluke, just overmatched by a superior talent.

STARDUSTY ROSE & KAREN2...agree MTB is the front-runner for 3y.o. champ.  Could either of you have predicted 2+ weeks ago that MTB could become the Belmont Stakes favorite?  What an amazing run for his connections.

TTIMSAN...you made great points about the Preakness 1-2.  Do you think either could be vulnerable to CHARITABLE MAN or some other new shooter in the Belmont S.?

MZ...many said ZENYATTA should have run vs. the boys last year, perhaps with "AMAZON OF THE DECADE" title on the line she and RA will throw down vs. the boys.  

JOHN T...BOREL only wins the Preakness on RACHEL. He'd have had the same fate SMITH had w/ MTB.

As for RUFFIAN vs. RACHEL, there's no debate.  The former was a brilliant but injury-prone sprinter/miler while RACHEL is a brilliant stayer.  It's like apples and oranges, both are so sweet.  Let's enjoy their careers for what they are.

Now, if you want to get into a RACHEL, WINNING COLORS, GENUINE RISK, or RAGS TO RICHES discussion, check out my blog next week (amateurcapper.blogspot.com).

Lastly,

J and S...see my RACHEL vs. RUFFIAN comment above.

As for the potential breakdowns, are you less nervous going forward since RACHEL came back safe?

As I wrote before, I'm hearing she didn't handle the track.  That alone can be the reason she didn't appear as dominating to you.

I echo your sentiment about what this means to her career...I believe her original connections had the right idea and she'd have dominated at Belmont and Saratoga vs. her "peers".  However, she may turn out to be the filly equivalent of SECRETARIAT after the year is completed and their cautiousness may have prevented us from seeing the first Triple Crown winner since AFFIRMED in 1978.  She may have been the first FILLY TRIPLE CROWN WINNER!!!

Stop by TBA (thoroughbredbloggersalliance.blogspot.com) for lots of great blogs.  I'd love to continue dialogue with you all on my blog (amateurcapper.blogspot.com).

Thanks for stopping by this weekend!

I agree with your comment Ruffian, Rachel should not run with the boys anymore. She already proved to everyone that she can. I would love to see her in the Breeder's Cup this Fall.

At the end of the Preakness, MTB was flying toward the line. His stride was amazing! Go get 'em in the Belmont MTB!!

I recall past writings how each Triple Crown track is different & one of them being a harder surface.  Is that Belmont?  If so, Calvin said RA loved hard tracks.  IF she goes to Belmont & the track is hard she will be a happier racer.

Amateurcapper, I knew what the title was supposed to mean, I was making a littlec"haha" because of the drama Big Drama made at the other end of the starting gate when he whacked out and MTB was totally unfazed...

I've been asking if anyone there can tell me was the track really fast?

Amateurcapper

What kind of drugs are you taking LOL?  :)

CAROLYN IN ND...Belmont is known as "BIG SANDY".  "BIG" is in reference to the main track being the biggest dirt racing course in the world.  "SANDY" because of the sandy loam that many horsemen consider the most desirable dirt to race on.

Last year, sprinters blazed on Belmont Day.  The 1 1/2 mile Brooklyn H. was run in a pedestrian 2:30.96 the day before the Belmont S.  The final Triple Crown race of '08 was run in slowish 2:29.65.

If there is no rain, expect a fair surface that a great horse like RACHEL ALEXANDRA could glide over.  Do you think she'll be pressed back for the Belmont S.?  Her sire was 2nd in the race to a blowout LS named SARAVA.  RACHEL, if she runs, could find the 12f too testing.