Belmont 2007

Great day with Tania, Julia and Goldie for this year's Belmont, with Denis, of course, around and in attendance, plus were able to accommodate Keller, Schoenfeld (carrying about 200 Xanax), Culyba, and Shelby into the area of our clubhouse seats for much silliness and bullshitting.

I was down about $85 on the five graded races prior to the big one, but after seeing that big, gorgeous girl in the paddock, I was even more sure who to bet. So I hit the tri, had her across the board, and walked with about $120, i.e. about broke even for the day. Filly or no: she simply looked like, and ran as the best horse. A good horse is a good horse, colt or filly. My men Pletcher/Velazquez finally won a Triple Crown race together, after Pletcher posted an 0-fer 28 in previous races.

There were three incredibly competitive races comprising this year's Triple Crown, but seeing this gal stumble out of the gate, recover without incident, make a huge four-wide move on the last turn, and fight Curlin off down the stretch turned this one into the most exciting of the three. Do yourself a favor and watch the replay online, for I am still getting goosebumps thinking about the race. The cheer the crowd gave her as she paraded in front of the grandstand on the way back to the winner's circle was stirring and deserved. It's going to be interesting to see what they do with her next but I hope they keep running her with the best competition, rather than playing it safe and taking her back to only Distaff (f.) races.

Although only 46,000 were there to see it, it was a race for the ages, one for the record books, etc. etc. And where were YOU when the filly won for the first time in 102 years? I say it every year, but THIS truly was the best Belmont ever.