In Case You Missed The Belmont
Paul Lafferty and James Goodman watch the Belmont and tell how they saw it
11th June 2018
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Paul Lafferty and James Goodman watch the Belmont and tell how they saw it
Justify isn’t American Pharoah. He wasn’t a 2-year-old champion bred and built to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont
Todd Pletcher trained his third Belmont Stakes winner on Saturday
Raise A Native is not only the male line ancestor of American Pharoah, but he is also the grandsire of Affirmed (Exclusive Native) – the last horse prior to American Pharoah to lift the US Triple Crown series
“I wanted to ride to the wire. I just dropped my hands and he just took off,” the jockey said
De Kock races horses in his native South Africa, where he is regarded as the Babe Ruth of the barn set, and also in Dubai and occasionally in the U.S. He’s saddled winners in England, Singapore and Hong Kong.
“We have a horse that’s a unique talent that is going for the Triple Crown, and we’re pleased to be associated with a beverage brand like Monster,” said American Pharoah owner Ahmed Zayat, whose riches came from selling his own beverage company to Heineken in 2002. “We hope the drink gives our horse that extra kick.”
Eighth-place Derby finisher Mubtaahij (10-1), with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. engaged to ride for the first time, will be assigned to the rail for trainer Mike de Kock.
Mike De Kock’s Belmont Stakes entrant Mubtaahij continued his preparations for the big race
He has ridden many popular horses throughout his young career, including 2012 champion 3-year-old filly Questing, Kid Cruz, Vyjack and Birdatthewire
Mike De Kock’s Belmont Stakes hopeful Mubtaahij took to Belmont Park’s inner turf course along with stablemate Umgiyo and posted a bullet five-furlong breeze two days after his arrival, on Sunday
It’s clear that eight incidents of crop excesses is unacceptable for a sport keen to maintain a good public image, and the time appears to have arrived for a review of the crop rules for work riders on the Highveld
Rafeef is fast establishing a fine reputation as a stallion who has the ability to sire stakes winners across the speed and stamina spectrum
