Triple Crown Recap

TRIPLE CROWN RECAP

JUNE 14, 2006

by James Scully

JAZIL (Seeking the Gold) won Saturday's Belmont S. (G1) with a strong move on

the far turn, closing from last to first in less than three-quarters of a mile

to emerge with a narrow advantage over BLUEGRASS CAT (Storm Cat) as they

approached the top of the stretch at Big Sandy. Jazil was obviously moving the

better of the two, with 18-year-old Fernando Jara sitting comfortably in the

saddle waiting to ask for his mount's best run, as John Velazquez smacked

Bluegrass Cat with the whip and went to a full-out ride along the inside.

SUNRIVER (Saint Ballado) and STEPPENWOLFER (Aptitude) were only a couple of

lengths back, but neither were advancing on the top pair. Bluegrass Cat proved

game down the stretch, but Jazil powered clear inside the final furlong,

crossing the wire 1 1/4 lengths clear. Bluegrass Cat held second by 2 1/4

lengths over stablemate Sunriver, who edged Steppenwolfer by a about a length

for third. The rest of the field trailed far back.

Jazil improved to 8-2-3-0 overall, winning an off-the-turf maiden special

weight event at Aqueduct in early December previously. He finished second to

Corinthian (Pulpit) in his first start this year, a 1 1/8-mile allowance at

Gulfstream Park, but failed to make an impact from off the pace when seventh

behind Corinthian (who was DQ'ed from the win) in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2)

next out. Sent off at 24-1 in the Wood Memorial (G1), Jazil raced in another

area code off the early pace before launching an exceptional stretch rally over

the sloppy track, flying late to be a close second. He earned a 114 BRIS Late

Pace and a 101 Speed rating.

The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee continued to improve in the Kentucky Derby

(G1), closing from last after a half-mile to dead-heat for fourth. His Belmont

performance was by far a career best, registering a superb 109 Speed rating, and

there's reason to believe he'll keep getting better. Jazil looks like a

late-blooming three-year-old who can continue to be a serious factor in major

events the rest of the season. By the same token, Jazil still needs to prove

that his Belmont wasn't a one-trick performance.

Preakness S. (G1) winner BERNARDINI (A.P. Indy) and Jazil are separately

owned by brothers, but both could wind up racing in Godolphin's blue silks at

some point. They both delivered top-class performances to record upsets in

Triple Crown races, Bernardini as the fourth choice in the wagering at Pimlico

and Jazil as the sixth choice at Belmont, but the Kentucky Derby winner was

unquestionably the best three-year-old to compete in this year's series.

BARBARO (Dynaformer) turned in one of the most memorable Kentucky Derby

performances ever, effortlessly taking command leaving the far turn at Churchill

Downs and high-stepping it through the lane with powerful strides that were fun

to watch as the rest of his rivals staged their own race far behind. Unbeaten in

six career starts, Barbaro left the impression on the first Saturday in May that

the 28-year-old Triple Crown drought was about to end. I think he would've won

the Triple Crown, but we'll never know for sure. His racing career ended due to

a fluke injury suffered soon after the start in the Preakness.

Barbaro's injury sent shock waves around the world. Domestically, it sparked

cries for changes in the format of the Triple Crown. 1978 was a long time ago

and many people watching Thoroughbred racing today have never seen a Triple

Crown winner. With no horses competing in all three legs this year, pundits

bemoan an antiquated format that isn't suitable for this day and age. Increase

the spacing between races, shorten the distances, run the races over Polytrack

-- do something to add more feasibility to the series, allowing us the

opportunity to savor a Triple Crown winner much more frequently. These

sentiments are rubbish.

The level of difficulty makes the Triple Crown one of the most special prizes

in all of sports. With five horses (Smarty Jones, Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Charismatic

and Afleet Alex) coming excruciatingly close over the last decade, it's not

impossible. Six horses in the past 10 years have wound up at Belmont Park,

surrounded by great fanfare and general interest, trying to become legends.

There's nothing like it. Yet, there are calls to cheapen this experience, to

take something away from an industry that struggles to attract viewers in our

sports-diluted society. Weakening the Triple Crown to satisfy critics would hurt

Thoroughbred racing. There's no need to mess with perhaps the greatest test in

sports.