Mine That Bird galloping at Belmont this morning.

[Justpat]

It was rainy and chilly so these aren't too great.

[two gun sid]

1. Looks pretty wet!

Thanks for posting these Justpat!

[Justpat]

2. It rained all morning.

It is supposed to be cloudy early Saturday, then clear in the afternoon.

[bread_and_roses]

3. Here's Haskin on the gallop - I'd be interested in your take

on it. And thanks for the photos! Appreciated all the more since it doesn't look as if standing out there in the weather was exactly a frolic.

Here's Haskin:

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/51109/haskins-belmont-report-love-that-bird

His introduction to Belmont came on a gooey, sloppy track that prevented a number of horses from galloping. Mine That Bird, however, just glided over it, barely making a sound, while again galloping with great purpose. As at Churchill and Pimlico, he had his ears up the whole way and was in his usual zone out there.

I've no idea of course how accurate/reliable that is, but the reason I really enjoy reading Haskins is that he can admit to being "smitten" by a horse and he writes about how they look and behave, what sort of personalities they seem to display, etc. It at least seems to convey a genuine passion for the horses themselves as creatures - whatever their ultimate value to the sport or the shed.

[Justpat]

5. True

Most horses sounded like heavy war horses going over it, but MTB just skipped along.
But he wasn't galloping very fast either so that had something to do with it.

I was impressed with his attitude. The little guy doesn't get fazed by anything. He walked off the track like he owned the place.

[aaronbees]

4. Nice to see him at Belmont

I can visualize him moving lightly over that track somehow. I'll be rooting for him on Saturday. I think his main challenge could be the potentially slower pace than what he ran into in the Preakness and Derby. But I'm still backing him. Should be an interesting race!