[Nepeta]

I didn’t watch the race, so I am just repeating what I heard. There may have been a non horse strategic error of going to the rail too soon and not being free enough at the correct point in the race to win. But in any case, winning the triple crown is a combination of skill, talent and luck. The right combos of those three will win any race, but Secretariat won by what 23 lengths...

Oh, and it takes money.

Personal beliefs on why California Chrome did not win:

The early pace was creepy-crawly slow. Commissioner went to the lead, and he is NOT a speed horse. At that point, CC should have been sent to at least run with that slow pace...if the pace is slow, and you are in front, everyone behind you will have a very hard time catching you. Commissioner missed winning by only a head.

California Chrome has not run a good race tucked in on the rail surrounded by horses. Other than this, he is remarkably free of mental bugaboos.

Early in the race, perhaps at the start, a chunk of the back of one foot was torn away. He probably ran through the pain because of adrenaline, but maybe not.

He was still only 1 3/4 lengths back at the finish. This is a very good horse.

[Toespi]

I watched CC going to the post. I noticed he was showing labored breathing, he appeared overworked. I also did not like the way he was carrying his neck and thought he was injured before the race. I come from a family of standardbred owners and trainers and we had a fabulous young pacer years ago. She couldn’t lose, until she became a bleeder, which was almost an overnight event. No matter how we warmed her up for a race her breathing was labored. I think CC was used too much prior to the Belmont which would have compromised his breathing.