[OT][SPOILERS]Belmont Stakes Results

"Karen Chuplis" wrote in message
...
in article , Kreisleriana at
wrote on 6/5/04 7:19 PM:

On Sat, 05 Jun 2004 23:35:27 GMT, "Yoj"
yodeled:

"Jeanne Hedge" wrote in message
news spoilers!

5

4

3

2

1

The 1-1/2 miles of The Belmont Stakes strikes again.

1. Birdstone (jockey: Edgar Prado; trainer: Nick Zito) (36-1; $74 to
win)
2. Smarty Jones (Stewart Elliott/John Servis) (1-5)
3. Royal Assault (Pat Day/Nick Zito)

Birdstone won by about a length. He started making his move at the end
of the back straight, caught Smarty Jones shortly before the finish
and (it seemed to me) seemed to be pulling away.

They said before the race that an offer of $20 million (USD) had been
made for Smarty Jones, $40 million if he won the Belmont. That $40
million was later increased to $50 million.



Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha

http://www.jhedge.com

That's too bad for the people who backed Smarty, but I imagine those
who
bet on Birdstone are thrilled to death!

Joy

It was a heartbreaker-- SJ is *such* a cool horse.

He'll be back!


He is a gorgeous little horse. Just not up to a mile and a half. Darn near
did it anyway didn't he!

Jo

"Karen Chuplis" wrote in message
...
in article , Kreisleriana at
wrote on 6/5/04 7:19 PM:

On Sat, 05 Jun 2004 23:35:27 GMT, "Yoj"
yodeled:

"Jeanne Hedge" wrote in message
news spoilers!

5

4

3

2

1

The 1-1/2 miles of The Belmont Stakes strikes again.

1. Birdstone (jockey: Edgar Prado; trainer: Nick Zito) (36-1; $74 to
win)
2. Smarty Jones (Stewart Elliott/John Servis) (1-5)
3. Royal Assault (Pat Day/Nick Zito)

Birdstone won by about a length. He started making his move at the end
of the back straight, caught Smarty Jones shortly before the finish
and (it seemed to me) seemed to be pulling away.

They said before the race that an offer of $20 million (USD) had been
made for Smarty Jones, $40 million if he won the Belmont. That $40
million was later increased to $50 million.



Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha

http://www.jhedge.com

That's too bad for the people who backed Smarty, but I imagine those
who
bet on Birdstone are thrilled to death!

Joy

It was a heartbreaker-- SJ is *such* a cool horse.

He'll be back!


He is a gorgeous little horse. Just not up to a mile and a half. Darn near
did it anyway didn't he!

Jo

"Victor Martinez" wrote in message
...
What's this Belmont thing? A race of sorts?


On the outside chance you aren't joking.

Once a year, for a series of three races, many of us become great fans of
horse racing. The series is the equivalent of the World Series or the Super
Bowl or the NBA finals.

First race is the Kentucky Derby, at Churchill Downs. Second is the
Preakness near Baltimore, Maryland. And third is the Belmont Stakes in New
York. All the horses are Three Year olds, which actually means many aren't
much over two. A horse is considered one year old on New Years Day, even if
it was born on December 29th.

To win a Triple Crown means that a single horse has to win all three races.
And it hasn't been done since 1977.

There is quite a bit of difference in the length of the three tracks, so it
is a little bit like asking a runner to compete and win against sprinters,
runners, and marathoners.

Horse breeders are really big believers in genetics, so if Smarty Jones had
won, he likely would have never raced again. Still might not. He will be
sold to a syndicate (no one person can risk the amount it would cost to own
him) and likely put to stud for the rest of his life.

Jo

"Victor Martinez" wrote in message
...
What's this Belmont thing? A race of sorts?


On the outside chance you aren't joking.

Once a year, for a series of three races, many of us become great fans of
horse racing. The series is the equivalent of the World Series or the Super
Bowl or the NBA finals.

First race is the Kentucky Derby, at Churchill Downs. Second is the
Preakness near Baltimore, Maryland. And third is the Belmont Stakes in New
York. All the horses are Three Year olds, which actually means many aren't
much over two. A horse is considered one year old on New Years Day, even if
it was born on December 29th.

To win a Triple Crown means that a single horse has to win all three races.
And it hasn't been done since 1977.

There is quite a bit of difference in the length of the three tracks, so it
is a little bit like asking a runner to compete and win against sprinters,
runners, and marathoners.

Horse breeders are really big believers in genetics, so if Smarty Jones had
won, he likely would have never raced again. Still might not. He will be
sold to a syndicate (no one person can risk the amount it would cost to own
him) and likely put to stud for the rest of his life.

Jo

"Victor Martinez" wrote in message
...
What's this Belmont thing? A race of sorts?


On the outside chance you aren't joking.

Once a year, for a series of three races, many of us become great fans of
horse racing. The series is the equivalent of the World Series or the Super
Bowl or the NBA finals.

First race is the Kentucky Derby, at Churchill Downs. Second is the
Preakness near Baltimore, Maryland. And third is the Belmont Stakes in New
York. All the horses are Three Year olds, which actually means many aren't
much over two. A horse is considered one year old on New Years Day, even if
it was born on December 29th.

To win a Triple Crown means that a single horse has to win all three races.
And it hasn't been done since 1977.

There is quite a bit of difference in the length of the three tracks, so it
is a little bit like asking a runner to compete and win against sprinters,
runners, and marathoners.

Horse breeders are really big believers in genetics, so if Smarty Jones had
won, he likely would have never raced again. Still might not. He will be
sold to a syndicate (no one person can risk the amount it would cost to own
him) and likely put to stud for the rest of his life.

Jo

On Sat, 5 Jun 2004 19:01:11 -0700, "Jo Firey"
wrote:


"Victor Martinez" wrote in message
...
What's this Belmont thing? A race of sorts?


On the outside chance you aren't joking.

Once a year, for a series of three races, many of us become great fans of
horse racing. The series is the equivalent of the World Series or the Super
Bowl or the NBA finals.

First race is the Kentucky Derby, at Churchill Downs.

Churchill Downs is in Louisville, Kentucky. I grew up near Louisville
and have never been to the Derby, but have visited Churchill Downs
several times. It's absolutely gorgeous when the flowers are blooming
(a lot are timed to be in bloom for The Derby).

Second is the
Preakness near Baltimore, Maryland.

At Pimlico Race Course. For those who saw the movie or read the book
"Seabiscuit", the famous match race between Seabiscuit and 1937 Triple
Crown winner War Admiral took place at Pimlico in 1938.

And third is the Belmont Stakes in New
York. All the horses are Three Year olds, which actually means many aren't
much over two. A horse is considered one year old on New Years Day, even if
it was born on December 29th.

To win a Triple Crown means that a single horse has to win all three races.
And it hasn't been done since 1977.

There have only been 11 horses in history who have done it:

Sir Barton (1919)
Gallant Fox (1930)
Omaha (1935)
War Admiral (1937)
Whirlaway (1941)
Count Fleet (1943)
Assault (1946)
Citation (1948)
Secretariat (1973)
Seattle Slew (1977)
Affirmed (1978)

I've always wondered why so many horses won the Triple Crown in the
early years, but in recent times it's been feast (3 winners in the
'70s) or famine (25 years between Citation and Secretariat; 26 years
since the great Affirmed/Alydar battles)


There is quite a bit of difference in the length of the three tracks, so it
is a little bit like asking a runner to compete and win against sprinters,
runners, and marathoners.

Yeah, it's almost unfair, but it's what separates the great race
horses from the rest.

The Kentucky Derby is 1-1/4 miles (Secretariat is the only horse to
run The Derby in less than 2 minutes). The Preakness Stakes is 1-3/16
miles. The Belmont Stakes is 1-1/2 miles. Today's commentators noted
that most of these horses will never again run a race as long as the
Belmont.

I still remember as a kid watching with awe as Secretariat absolutely
destroyed the field in the 1973 Belmont, winning by 31 lengths - and
still setting a track record! They couldn't get him and the 2nd place
horse on the TV screen at the same time without resorting to lenses
that made the horses look like ants.


Horse breeders are really big believers in genetics, so if Smarty Jones had
won, he likely would have never raced again. Still might not. He will be
sold to a syndicate (no one person can risk the amount it would cost to own
him) and likely put to stud for the rest of his life.

Right now they're saying he's going to run in the Breeder's Cup races
later this year, and will run as a 4 year old too. We'll see - you're
right about what usually happens.



Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha

http://www.jhedge.com

On Sat, 5 Jun 2004 19:01:11 -0700, "Jo Firey"
wrote:


"Victor Martinez" wrote in message
...
What's this Belmont thing? A race of sorts?


On the outside chance you aren't joking.

Once a year, for a series of three races, many of us become great fans of
horse racing. The series is the equivalent of the World Series or the Super
Bowl or the NBA finals.

First race is the Kentucky Derby, at Churchill Downs.

Churchill Downs is in Louisville, Kentucky. I grew up near Louisville
and have never been to the Derby, but have visited Churchill Downs
several times. It's absolutely gorgeous when the flowers are blooming
(a lot are timed to be in bloom for The Derby).

Second is the
Preakness near Baltimore, Maryland.

At Pimlico Race Course. For those who saw the movie or read the book
"Seabiscuit", the famous match race between Seabiscuit and 1937 Triple
Crown winner War Admiral took place at Pimlico in 1938.

And third is the Belmont Stakes in New
York. All the horses are Three Year olds, which actually means many aren't
much over two. A horse is considered one year old on New Years Day, even if
it was born on December 29th.

To win a Triple Crown means that a single horse has to win all three races.
And it hasn't been done since 1977.

There have only been 11 horses in history who have done it:

Sir Barton (1919)
Gallant Fox (1930)
Omaha (1935)
War Admiral (1937)
Whirlaway (1941)
Count Fleet (1943)
Assault (1946)
Citation (1948)
Secretariat (1973)
Seattle Slew (1977)
Affirmed (1978)

I've always wondered why so many horses won the Triple Crown in the
early years, but in recent times it's been feast (3 winners in the
'70s) or famine (25 years between Citation and Secretariat; 26 years
since the great Affirmed/Alydar battles)


There is quite a bit of difference in the length of the three tracks, so it
is a little bit like asking a runner to compete and win against sprinters,
runners, and marathoners.

Yeah, it's almost unfair, but it's what separates the great race
horses from the rest.

The Kentucky Derby is 1-1/4 miles (Secretariat is the only horse to
run The Derby in less than 2 minutes). The Preakness Stakes is 1-3/16
miles. The Belmont Stakes is 1-1/2 miles. Today's commentators noted
that most of these horses will never again run a race as long as the
Belmont.

I still remember as a kid watching with awe as Secretariat absolutely
destroyed the field in the 1973 Belmont, winning by 31 lengths - and
still setting a track record! They couldn't get him and the 2nd place
horse on the TV screen at the same time without resorting to lenses
that made the horses look like ants.


Horse breeders are really big believers in genetics, so if Smarty Jones had
won, he likely would have never raced again. Still might not. He will be
sold to a syndicate (no one person can risk the amount it would cost to own
him) and likely put to stud for the rest of his life.

Right now they're saying he's going to run in the Breeder's Cup races
later this year, and will run as a 4 year old too. We'll see - you're
right about what usually happens.



Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha

http://www.jhedge.com

On Sat, 5 Jun 2004 19:01:11 -0700, "Jo Firey"
wrote:


"Victor Martinez" wrote in message
...
What's this Belmont thing? A race of sorts?


On the outside chance you aren't joking.

Once a year, for a series of three races, many of us become great fans of
horse racing. The series is the equivalent of the World Series or the Super
Bowl or the NBA finals.

First race is the Kentucky Derby, at Churchill Downs.

Churchill Downs is in Louisville, Kentucky. I grew up near Louisville
and have never been to the Derby, but have visited Churchill Downs
several times. It's absolutely gorgeous when the flowers are blooming
(a lot are timed to be in bloom for The Derby).

Second is the
Preakness near Baltimore, Maryland.

At Pimlico Race Course. For those who saw the movie or read the book
"Seabiscuit", the famous match race between Seabiscuit and 1937 Triple
Crown winner War Admiral took place at Pimlico in 1938.

And third is the Belmont Stakes in New
York. All the horses are Three Year olds, which actually means many aren't
much over two. A horse is considered one year old on New Years Day, even if
it was born on December 29th.

To win a Triple Crown means that a single horse has to win all three races.
And it hasn't been done since 1977.

There have only been 11 horses in history who have done it:

Sir Barton (1919)
Gallant Fox (1930)
Omaha (1935)
War Admiral (1937)
Whirlaway (1941)
Count Fleet (1943)
Assault (1946)
Citation (1948)
Secretariat (1973)
Seattle Slew (1977)
Affirmed (1978)

I've always wondered why so many horses won the Triple Crown in the
early years, but in recent times it's been feast (3 winners in the
'70s) or famine (25 years between Citation and Secretariat; 26 years
since the great Affirmed/Alydar battles)


There is quite a bit of difference in the length of the three tracks, so it
is a little bit like asking a runner to compete and win against sprinters,
runners, and marathoners.

Yeah, it's almost unfair, but it's what separates the great race
horses from the rest.

The Kentucky Derby is 1-1/4 miles (Secretariat is the only horse to
run The Derby in less than 2 minutes). The Preakness Stakes is 1-3/16
miles. The Belmont Stakes is 1-1/2 miles. Today's commentators noted
that most of these horses will never again run a race as long as the
Belmont.

I still remember as a kid watching with awe as Secretariat absolutely
destroyed the field in the 1973 Belmont, winning by 31 lengths - and
still setting a track record! They couldn't get him and the 2nd place
horse on the TV screen at the same time without resorting to lenses
that made the horses look like ants.


Horse breeders are really big believers in genetics, so if Smarty Jones had
won, he likely would have never raced again. Still might not. He will be
sold to a syndicate (no one person can risk the amount it would cost to own
him) and likely put to stud for the rest of his life.

Right now they're saying he's going to run in the Breeder's Cup races
later this year, and will run as a 4 year old too. We'll see - you're
right about what usually happens.



Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha

http://www.jhedge.com

On Sat, 5 Jun 2004 18:45:29 -0700, "Jo Firey"
yodeled:


"Karen Chuplis" wrote in message
...
in article , Kreisleriana at
wrote on 6/5/04 7:19 PM:

On Sat, 05 Jun 2004 23:35:27 GMT, "Yoj"
yodeled:

"Jeanne Hedge" wrote in message
news spoilers!

5

4

3

2

1

The 1-1/2 miles of The Belmont Stakes strikes again.

1. Birdstone (jockey: Edgar Prado; trainer: Nick Zito) (36-1; $74 to
win)
2. Smarty Jones (Stewart Elliott/John Servis) (1-5)
3. Royal Assault (Pat Day/Nick Zito)

Birdstone won by about a length. He started making his move at the end
of the back straight, caught Smarty Jones shortly before the finish
and (it seemed to me) seemed to be pulling away.

They said before the race that an offer of $20 million (USD) had been
made for Smarty Jones, $40 million if he won the Belmont. That $40
million was later increased to $50 million.



Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha

http://www.jhedge.com

That's too bad for the people who backed Smarty, but I imagine those
who
bet on Birdstone are thrilled to death!

Joy

It was a heartbreaker-- SJ is *such* a cool horse.

He'll be back!


He is a gorgeous little horse. Just not up to a mile and a half. Darn near
did it anyway didn't he!

Jo

Well, I hope that they can afford not to rush him into stud. Horses
really aren't mature until they're four years old, and for so many,
you never see what they can really do. I think he'd make a tremendous
four-year-old. His genes are in the pipeline anyway, after all. I
hear his dad's stud fee has skyrocketed.





Theresa
My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com
alt.tv.frasier FAQ: http://www.im-listening.net/FAQ/

On Sat, 5 Jun 2004 18:45:29 -0700, "Jo Firey"
yodeled:


"Karen Chuplis" wrote in message
...
in article , Kreisleriana at
wrote on 6/5/04 7:19 PM:

On Sat, 05 Jun 2004 23:35:27 GMT, "Yoj"
yodeled:

"Jeanne Hedge" wrote in message
news spoilers!

5

4

3

2

1

The 1-1/2 miles of The Belmont Stakes strikes again.

1. Birdstone (jockey: Edgar Prado; trainer: Nick Zito) (36-1; $74 to
win)
2. Smarty Jones (Stewart Elliott/John Servis) (1-5)
3. Royal Assault (Pat Day/Nick Zito)

Birdstone won by about a length. He started making his move at the end
of the back straight, caught Smarty Jones shortly before the finish
and (it seemed to me) seemed to be pulling away.

They said before the race that an offer of $20 million (USD) had been
made for Smarty Jones, $40 million if he won the Belmont. That $40
million was later increased to $50 million.



Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha

http://www.jhedge.com

That's too bad for the people who backed Smarty, but I imagine those
who
bet on Birdstone are thrilled to death!

Joy

It was a heartbreaker-- SJ is *such* a cool horse.

He'll be back!


He is a gorgeous little horse. Just not up to a mile and a half. Darn near
did it anyway didn't he!

Jo

Well, I hope that they can afford not to rush him into stud. Horses
really aren't mature until they're four years old, and for so many,
you never see what they can really do. I think he'd make a tremendous
four-year-old. His genes are in the pipeline anyway, after all. I
hear his dad's stud fee has skyrocketed.





Theresa
My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com
alt.tv.frasier FAQ: http://www.im-listening.net/FAQ/