Can American Pharoah win the Preakness?

Well it is official, American Pharoah won the Triple Crown. Congratulations to the horse, owner, trainer and jockey.

It has been a 37 year drought and the American public was anxious for a Triple Crown winner; even if it meant a mediocre horse would take the moniker. Triple Crowns are rare and should belong to only the very best of the best. A true champion. American Pharoah isn't (IMO).

His time of 2:03:02 at the Kentucky Derby is the fourth-slowest time for a winner of that race since 2000. Then when he took the Preakness two weeks later with 1:58:46 time, it represented the slowest winning pace (albeit in a torrential downpour) at Pimlico since Citation in 1948.

In the pantheon of great horses, AP is below average...shouldn't even be considered a great horse IMO. A very week field of 3 year olds allowed AP to claim the prize. Originally Posted by Whirlaway

Below average? Did you see the time for the Belmont? One of the best in history. This is a strong field of 3 year olds, and experts are in agreement over that

Congrats to American Pharoah and the team, but there is not a horse better than Secretariat, another triple crown winner, winning the Belmont Stakes by 30+ lengths! http://www.sbnation.com/2015/6/6/872...e-crown-winner

Congrats to American Pharoah and the team, but there is not a horse better than Secretariat, another triple crown winner, winning the Belmont Stakes by 30+ lengths! http://www.sbnation.com/2015/6/6/872...e-crown-winner Originally Posted by davidfree986

That is his great great grandad

American Pharoah is a mediocre horse winning in a mediocre group of 3 year olds.

Beyer Speed ratings of the horse say he is below average. Secretariat's speed rating in the Derby was an astonishing 139, compared to American Pharoah at 105 (average speed rating of all Derby winners is 108). APs speed rating in the Preakness was 102; well behind the Preakness winning average of 109. But slop may/may not have been a factor.

AP might win; but only because the field is so weak. If AP does win; it isn't much to brag about. But that won't stop Baffert.

Don't get me wrong; I would love to see another Triple Crown winner....but only with a truly great horse. American Pharoah isn't that horse. I'd rather see the Triple Crown(less) streak continue until that greatness is born to run. Originally Posted by Whirlaway

Never noticed this comment before the race. My comment then would be- you know shit about horse- let alone athletic ones. You know shit about trainers and jockeys. Hope you bet AP to lose. Just saying,

I'll play the history odds and say no. Originally Posted by TSPURS123

Safe bet. Odds are you win. The comes a screwball. Mkaes history. I bet th e srewball- lose a little win big

Well it is official, American Pharoah won the Triple Crown. Congratulations to the horse, owner, trainer and jockey.

It has been a 37 year drought and the American public was anxious for a Triple Crown winner; even if it meant a mediocre horse would take the moniker. Triple Crowns are rare and should belong to only the very best of the best. A true champion. American Pharoah isn't (IMO).

His time of 2:03:02 at the Kentucky Derby is the fourth-slowest time for a winner of that race since 2000. Then when he took the Preakness two weeks later with 1:58:46 time, it represented the slowest winning pace (albeit in a torrential downpour) at Pimlico since Citation in 1948.

In the pantheon of great horses, AP is below average...shouldn't even be considered a great horse IMO. A very week field of 3 year olds allowed AP to claim the prize. Originally Posted by Whirlaway

You are a handicapper in your mind. Time is but one factor.

I have not seen a horse as fit to be a Champion than Secretariat as AP showed in earlier races. Victor has a special way with his mounts- horses love gentle men-----even with the whip that doesn't even sting but a reminder we have a job to do.

Sorry you lost so much believing the scientists. Guess you signed on to Global warming.

Baffert knew that horse. The owner didn't. The jockey loved that horse. The horse had the talent to do it. Like Michael Jordan.

Congrats to American Pharoah and the team, but there is not a horse better than Secretariat, another triple crown winner, winning the Belmont Stakes by 30+ lengths! http://www.sbnation.com/2015/6/6/872...e-crown-winner Originally Posted by davidfree986

I agree 100%.....My congrats to American Pharoah, his owner, trainers, and jockey. American Pharoah still has some racing ahead and only time will tell if he is in the same class as Secretariat, but one thing is for certain ...... there are only 12 horses in that classroom.
I will always regard Secretariat as the greatest horse of all time.....but maybe someday another horse will prove me wrong.

I agree 100%.....My congrats to American Pharoah, his owner, trainers, and jockey. American Pharoah still has some racing ahead and only time will tell if he is in the same class as Secretariat, but one thing is for certain ...... there are only 12 horses in that classroom.
I will always regard Secretariat as the greatest horse of all time.....but maybe someday another horse will prove me wrong. Originally Posted by tttalinky

I don't profess to know a whole lot about horse racing, but certainly find it difficult to disagree with your view of Secretariat.

Once I read that he was a real outlier; a genetic freak with a heart double the size of that possessed by most horses.

That reportedly gave him the ability to process and distribute oxygenated blood at a much faster rate than his competitors were capable of.

I agree 100%.....My congrats to American Pharoah, his owner, trainers, and jockey. American Pharoah still has some racing ahead and only time will tell if he is in the same class as Secretariat, but one thing is for certain ...... there are only 12 horses in that classroom.
I will always regard Secretariat as the greatest horse of all time.....but maybe someday another horse will prove me wrong. Originally Posted by tttalinky

There will only be one Secretariat, and his great great grandson American Pharoah is not up to his standards, but who has been? I am thankful to have seen this run, and win some serious money

Well Screw Me! History made!

Tell it to Penny Chenery; she agrees with me that American Pharoah doesn't measure up to the other great Triple Crown winners (Secretariat, Affirmed, War Admiral)....

I give AP his due; he accomplished an incredible feat...but most of the public has never been around to see a truly great Triple Crown horse....the public wanted to feel part of a historical moment...they got their wish. The outpouring over AP is a more a media event than witness to a truly great champion.

Never noticed this comment before the race. My comment then would be- you know shit about horse- let alone athletic ones. You know shit about trainers and jockeys. Hope you bet AP to lose. Just saying, Originally Posted by doug_dfw

You are a handicapper in your mind. Time is but one factor.

I have not seen a horse as fit to be a Champion than Secretariat as AP showed in earlier races. Victor has a special way with his mounts- horses love gentle men-----even with the whip that doesn't even sting but a reminder we have a job to do.

Sorry you lost so much believing the scientists. Guess you signed on to Global warming.

Baffert knew that horse. The owner didn't. The jockey loved that horse. The horse had the talent to do it. Like Michael Jordan. Originally Posted by doug_dfw

Tell it to Penny Chenery; she agrees with me that American Pharoah doesn't measure up to the other great Triple Crown winners (Secretariat, Affirmed, War Admiral)....

I give AP his due; he accomplished an incredible feat...but most of the public has never been around to see a truly great Triple Crown horse....the public wanted to feel part of a historical moment...they got their wish. The outpouring over AP is a more a media event than witness to a truly great champion. Originally Posted by Whirlaway

Penny Chenery was there in person to show her respect for what AP has done. And his time for the Belmont was faster than Affirmed, and a full 2 seconds faster than War Admiral, so it seems you may be full of shit and a hater.

Sports Editors agree with me; John Cherwa at the LA times opines:

Will American Pharoah rank among the all-time greats?

It’s too early to tell............he ranks Secretariat, Citation, Seattle Slew, War Admiral, and Affirmed and Whirlaway as better horses.

Enthusiasm for American Pharoah is high and you are one of many who have jumped on the band wagon.....I doubt you were even around when Secretariat, Seattle Slew or Affirmed raced.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sports...607-story.html

How can I be a hater; I give the horse his due. I just don't consider him a great horse.

Penny Chenery was there in person to show her respect for what AP has done. And his time for the Belmont was faster than Affirmed, and a full 2 seconds faster than War Admiral, so it seems you may be full of shit and a hater. Originally Posted by Look-at-Stupid

Sports Editors agree with me; John Cherwa at the LA times opines:

Will American Pharoah rank among the all-time greats?

It’s too early to tell............he ranks Secretariat, Citation, Seattle Slew, War Admiral, and Affirmed and Whirlaway as better horses.

Enthusiasm for American Pharoah is high and you are one of many who have jumped on the band wagon.....I doubt you were even around when Secretariat, Seattle Slew or Affirmed raced.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sports...607-story.html

How can I be a hater; I give the horse his due. I just don't consider him a great horse. Originally Posted by Whirlaway

Yes, I was around smartass when Secretariat raced. I even cried as a little boy 4 years earlier when Majestic Prince lost to Arts and Letters in the Belmont, denying him a Triple Crown.

Who cares what some sportswriter in LA says? Can he explain why if War Admiral, Affirmed, etc are better, why was AP ran faster than both in the Belmont? How many times has that sportswriter been taxed on his horse racing winnings? As many times as me? I doubt it. Did he pick the trifecta on the Derby, the exacta on the Preakness. and the tri and superfecta on the Belmont like I did? Seriously doubt it!!!

I know my horse racing. And AP is very special. And you're just someone who probably does not know anywhere near as much as you think you do.

Like I said; many Americans have jumped on the AP bandwagon..................... ..irrational enthusiasm runs high, especially for those who won some money.

BTW, I didn't bet the race and my opinions on Climate Change have nothing to do with this (despite your observation of my view on CC being 180-degrees wrong).

Yes, I was around smartass when Secretariat raced. I even cried as a little boy 4 years earlier when Majestic Prince lost to Arts and Letters in the Belmont, denying him a Triple Crown.

Who cares what some sportswriter in LA says? Can he explain why if War Admiral, Affirmed, etc are better, why was AP ran faster than both in the Belmont? How many times has that sportswriter been taxed on his horse racing winnings? As many times as me? I doubt it. Did he pick the trifecta on the Derby, the exacta on the Preakness. and the tri and superfecta on the Belmont like I did? Seriously doubt it!!!

I know my horse racing. And AP is very special. And you're just someone who probably does not know anywhere near as much as you think you do. Originally Posted by Look-at-Stupid