I thought maybe I just over-idolized the TC winners of my youth so I went back and watched the Belmont runs of Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed.  I watched American Pharoah’s again then watched Justify’s.  While I thoroughly enjoyed myself I came away with no less of a feeling that Justify’s was somehow less deserving.  Not to beat a dead horse, but I think the reason it bothers me so much is that I was a fan of the other four and was happy to see them win.  With Justify I was just kind of meh.  Thanks to everyone for their input; I do feel better now lol.

Looks like Repole is asking for stewards investigation.  Again, surprised the Geroux was chosen to do that, I don't think he has ridden a lot for BB.  Maybe they are hoping for future payback for doing as told.  Pratt was in town, as well as Victor who I think did that to Shared Belief in the first interference which may have been the Pac Classic.  So I would have expected one of them as they are more likely to get payback rides.   I'd expect a suspension from it.  West acted shocked and said he was upset about the ride.  Bredar (agent) and Geroux had no comment. Doubt if West changes relationship to BB, Geroux probably will be his fall guy, but I don't question that he was following BB instructions. 

Too bad Dick Francis, the great racing fiction author, is in the great bookstore in the sky.  We could cue him for the novel version of this story.

Thinly veiled references, skulduggery, maybe even a murder instead of the real life version where Geroux merely gets tossed under the bus.

Repole:  " I got done to befaw I could do da udder guy...Investigate!" 

I'd read it.  :)

I would read that too but you're the one that has to write it.  You've already got a cool pseudonym.

All of that is true. And, he just didn't seem to run very fast? I know it is always a fool's errand comparing tracks on different days in different years, but hey, that's what the speed figure is supposed to do for us, no? AP would have been open lengths ahead of Justify. I think that may be contributing to the feeling of being slightly underwhelmed. 

My calendar is kinda full so I assigned the job to Giacomo...does nothing but laze around anyway as the silent CEO of our pad.

Working Title:  Test Of A Champion by Giacomo d'Giacomo

Chpt. 1 (opening scene)  Test lab.  Chief Assayer: (to assistant)  "Hey, look at this!  Vino's testing positive for Ziti Rigati!

That's as far as the feline has gotten.  Now he's licking his paw & combing his hair.  :)

Ah, the prodigal consigliere returneth...

Underwhelmed seems the predominant sentiment, yes.  I'm actually a fan.  But as Raes said somewhere earlier (and he nailed it for me) that it's the compressed time frame in which the accomplishments have been achieved...not any one race in the TC series that was a mind blower.

Justify is a very impressive horse.  Hopefully, it's merely my suspicious mind that wonders if he's gotten a leg up with something the tests can't capture.

Reading thru this topic, I'm just being pushed harder over to Hong Kong and Japan racing.  

The "they're all in cahoots" sounds like a conspiracy theory, but in truth, that is how things are done these days.  They call it "networking"  ROTFL

As time progresses, they eat their own, then somebody else moves into the syndicate.  Like right now Repole is probably asking a lot of questions, but it's his own fault for choosing his connections.

I'm pretty loyal to my interests and hobbies and friends, it takes a lot to "chase me off" but I've got my toe on the finish line at this point.  I think what will be left of U.S. horseracing in 1-2 decades will be 4 tracks and mostly just "gambler types".   Anyone who actually cares about horses and breeding is leaving or has already left, the baffert cluster deaths chased away at least a few hundred (for sure), and the on-going other crap (like possible secret deals and agreements behind the curtain, and the increasing amount of horses wiht racing plates still on and lip tatoos sandpapered off showing up in the kill lots).......is going to take it's toll. 

This is in addition to the once fans who got disgusted with the drugging and whipping a long time ago.  

If I were going to be reincarnated I would consider it a punishment now to come back as a racehorse.  That's pretty bad right?   I cringe at the thought of having that karmic bad luck.

If I were going to be reincarnated I would consider it a punishment now to come back as a racehorse. 

Rather unique way to make your point, and it works! Never thought of it that way. When I was a newbie to the sport, I though stallions had quite the life, but after reading about Alydar...I'll pass!

I want to come back as a compendium of race results that have not run yet.

But, if in heaven, everybody has a compendium, everybody wins, But, Everything pays $2.10.