Bally Ache wrote:

> You could go to the archives (Mar. 19 I think-the date of the
> Rebel). At least some of you were suggesting Alex should go
> back to Del. He was just a sprinter it was said. Didn't much
> care for J. Rose either as I recall.
>
> Well, they're never as good as they look on their best day and
> never as bad as they look on their worst. If you remember
> Smarty's Preakness from last year you'll know Alex is no lock
> in the Belmont.
>
> The nice thing is, a tragedy was narrowly averted and the
> best horse still won the race.
>

Rose has given Alex some hair raising rides. Alex was making an awe inspiring move on that last turn and had his momentum essentially slowed to even with Scrappy T, but then he rerallied to recover most of it. Rose was being very aggressive there. (Can't fault him for that.) The Champagne, Breeders Cup Juvenile and Ark rides were quizzical to say the least. In the Preakness again Rose almost got him in trouble, though perhaps due to no fault of his own. Some of us did call for Bailey, it doesnt mean we didn't think highly of Alex.

Alex was running a good Rebel and when he hit the aerobic mark he quit. Shortly after the race they scoped him and discovered a significant lung infection. The question was did he have it going in or did he develop it post race? Some interpreted it as him having it going in. An existing lung infection explained him stopping and was a factor in foundation for the Derby. The Ark made most long time handicappers realize the horse was special. But Silver is right, some of those Saratoga races tipped the hand. He's been right there in every race except the lung infection race. Thats why he was favored. Anyone can pick a favorite, but sometimes the favorite is the best horse.

Still congrats to those that hit that Derby, that was monumental.

Alex is the most tractable of the recent "phenoms" trying for the Belmont. That should play in his favor, but certainly 12 marks is tough going for the modern thoroughbred. Also Rose has probably not run many 12 mark races at Elmont. That was certainly a factor last year. Ritchey needs to sit down with him and watch a thousand films so he both stays in contact and doesnt move too soon.