Racing Not at its Best

- The flip side of Afleet Alex’s scintillating Preakness win is the dismal performances by most of the rest of the field. The first two legs of the Triple Crown have produced just a handful of efforts worth writing home about.

Not much can be said for the others. High Fly, second choice at 5-1, was never in it, dribbling home 10th. Closing Argument, fourth choice at 7-1, was flat as a pancake. Greeley's Galaxy was taken back, moved menacingly around the turn, but Afleet Alex then ran by him as if he was anchored.

Noble Causeway almost lost touch with the field, but ran on for sixth. Wilko was a total bust, beating only two home. Sun King improved on his Derby debacle to get fourth. High Limit, fitted with blinkers, held on much the best of the speed horses to get fifth. [NY Post]

This 3 yo crop certainly has not distinguished itself, and I think yesterday’s race shows that it wasn’t all Spanish Chestnut’s fault. Really, there should have been several horses flying home at the end of the Derby. They all had one excuse or another, whether is was traffic, bleeding, or lack of seasoning, but they have none whatsoever now. We’ve also seen the way connections push their horses to get ready for this series, and how some continue to press on when the truth that they’re not good enough seems apparent to everyone else. Anyway, enough of this. Already had the 6th exacta at Belmont today, so it’s on to some evening simulcasts.