I can't put a hoof on it, but for some reason, this coming shot at a potential Triple Cw winner lacks that old feeling.  An undefeated colt at that. Baffert two successive. Not a long period of time between accomplishments perhaps. No Alydar? No signs of fatigue or duct tape on the legs. No colt kept under the radar being saved to go the mileage.

Justify even looks the part. Runs the part. Acts the part.

The two significant defections soften~uped exotic betting props.

It feels weird because even though he’s undefeated, his two classic wins have come in the slop.  We know from the SA Derby and from his works that he’s obviously fast on a dry track but how far can he carry that speed on a track like Belmont?  I have no idea based on the derby and Preakness.  Maybe the heavens will open up again on them next Saturday and we get another TC champion.  I’d be Justify fine with that but there would always be an asterisk next to his name in the back of my mind.

defection of Good Magic and Audible kinda messed things up, and I wanted Enticed and Core Beliefs to go, so...

Can't make a straight wager on justify and make any $$ so I guess will hold nose and make a "geronimo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!" wager

Overanalyze vs Street Smart.

A great colt like Justify comes along going into his undefeated Triple Crown finale always in a crop of 3 year old mediocre contenders..

I never bought the hype about this being such a stellar crop.

Agree, and the pundits have not, as a source, touted this bunch as extra special.

Thoroughbred horse racing tragedy!

The smoking room at OTB via county mandate: no smoking. :)

No smoking in the smoking room?  Lol.

Johnny Carson when someone asked if he smoked after sex...I don't know, I've never checked!

The jury is still out. The two first legs were run on very wet tracks. Not everyone is fond of that. In the Belmont, he won't be facing the best of the crop, but I will still take a shot with Hofburg.

Just in case no one noticed, Catholic Boy returned to the winner's circle today. He defeated previously unbeaten Analyze It. Looks to be fully healed!

Yes, I saw Catholic Boy win today.  Very nice race. 

I like Hofburg.  I am just getting Wicked Strong vibes off him....they seem to have similar running styles? 
I was thinking of using him 2nd and 4th in a superfecta.  
 

I thought Hofburg was a major player in the Derby. I had him as high as the two spot going in. His line for that race read, "brushed at the start, steadied twice". He entered the stretch about 17 lengths back, and cut the margin in half. He is probably the most inexperienced horse in the race, with huge upside in my opinion. I am confident he will be running at the end of this race, while some others will be gasping for air like fish out of water. He will be my upset pick, so I hope some others, like Justify obviously, and maybe Blended Citizen, Vino Rosso, or some other horse, get bet down. I might even get double figures on him.