No Triple Crown winner this year

[LKTraz]

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Nyquist went down at the Preakness to not only Exaggerator but also behind Cherry Wine.
I honestly thought Nyquist would win in Maryland but go down to Exaggerator at Belmont.  Oh well.....that's how the cookie crumbles!

[Twitchin Kitten]

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Watching the post parade I knew exaggerator had this one. Nyquist was a bit wound up and his jockey spent his energy too fast. Having Kent Desormeaux in the stirrups was extra insurance. That track was slick too. I was waiting for a fall. Having ridden in that kind of slop I know it's like when your dog goes tearing around the linoleum and his back legs have no purchase.

[LKTraz]

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Kent Desormeaux was in the saddle for the Derby too but I think 2 factors other than the mud came into play at Pimloco.

At the Kentucky Derby there was a different pace setter so Nyquist wasn't pressured like in the Preakness and secondly Desormeux let Exaggerator kick it up a little sooner yesterday. I think he reigned him back just a little too long in the Derby.

It was a rather fast pace yesterday and Nyquist was simply used up at the end.
Quite a bit of jockying going on coming down the stretch at the Preakness. I was a little surprised that Nyquist came in 3rd rather than 2nd.

Going in I was looking for Nyquist by 2 lengths over Exaggerator but when they got to Belmont my pick would have been Exaggerator by 5.

Now I think Exaggerator will still win Belmont but Nyquist likely will not do any better than 4th due to the distance.
I don't know if Enola Gray can qualify for Belmont but THAT would change the field and everyone's strategy entirely. I could easily envision an Enola Gray/Exaggerator showdown.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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Very rare for a gray to win big races. Dunno why, but it just is.

I'm not taking any bets or guesses for the Belmont until I see the Post Parade. Yep, that's how I call 'em. I need to see the animal. I need to see how they're wound up or not, their gait, attitude and other factors. THAT's where it all comes down to it for me. When you don't have a contender for the Triple Crown, it really doesn't matter at this point. Now you have a field of horses whose owners have enough money for the entry fee and a trainer looking to make a name for himself with a young horse.