Not only does this bode well numerically, which is a rather meaningless and trivial matter, but it does so tactically speaking, as well. This spot will give AP the room needed to use his tactical speed (pony-playing talk for boring) as it allows him to either lay back and watch the race unfurl as he did in the Kentucky Derby - or, as he did in the Preakness, simply do away with the field much earlier.
Let me say, as to my own remark re: boring, that like boxing, this is explained by Big George Foreman's "Boxing is like Jazz, the better it is - the less people understand it."
No matter Espinoza's decision on the matter of how AP runs the final jewel of the Triple crown, in the end Frosted or Materiality will be with him, in a struggling fashion, until the top of the stretch. Then, as I've predicted prior, namely HERE, Pharaoh pulls away and into the annals of horseplayer histories. What that means for our sport is not a topic for now, but I do weigh in on it in the link of the previous sentence.
What is not being bandied about the horse world, however, is what happens if Pharoah does not, in fact, seal the deal. What if we are left with another Crownless track year?
I am a fan of American Pharoah. The best horse, though, is not always the best horse for the times. No other horse in this year's field, to be clear is more deserved...but I feel a better boost to the sport and end to this drought, would have by far been 2004's Smarty Jones. Heck, although he's a far lesser horse than is AP, California Chrome would have really gotten our sport entrenched in the hearts of the more casual fans, and might have made some less than simply casual. So, what does happen if another horse takes this year's Belmont?
Much the same, for the time being, than what would happen when American Pharaoh wins. That being not a whole bunch. However, it leaves the drought intact for a less Foreman-esque quote inspired victor. That may just be me making lemonade out of lemons that are still unpicked from the tree.
I feel amid all this noise of drought and all the (some very good) reasons sited as to its whys and hows, is that in '77 and '78 and around - the talk was of tarnish on the Crown due to its being too easy of a win. My, how times change views. At the end of the day, the secret elephant in the room is that many of horse racing's biggest fans - many of the people who make all or part of their living at a track - don't even bother with these big races.
The Triple Crown then, no matter its outcome, distances itself so far from the lifeblood of its own game, that it barely affects its heart. This is why horse racing might continue to become increasingly unpopular, but will never die. The casual fans have their little bits, and it happens in a vacuum from the folks that are the keepers of the Sport of Kings.
Boxing, transversely, is dying because the casuals want things like Mayweather/Pacquiao, and since they run that sport - their silly wish is granted. Leaving them to their childish tantrums in the fallout of their own ignorant wishes.
I feel that some important things were touched upon here, but overall, meh. Which is precisely the outcome I had hoped for. Plus, I got to include my K as a fleuron of sorts.
Yours in winning,
Me