Toch Gold one of the weirdest routes to win I have ever seen. From first to fourth and then up at the end. I remember growing sick of Baffert and his mouth in 97 and I was glad when TG pulled it off. Might have had the Preakness that year too had he not fallen flat on his face out of the gate.
Still can't expect any better from David Flores. Free House ran huge in the Preakness but Touch Gold was even better there. That is why I bet everything in my pocket on Touch Gold in the Belmont and convinced those with me to do the same! Not a bad price either if I remember correctly.
Great race. Free House put every ounce of energy into that race and then some. Good to see the rider stop on him when he knew he was no better than third.
Touch Gold was much the best in the Preakness when he had huge running trouble and still only lost by 1 1/2. The Belmont was simply justice for this horse after he had a miserable trip in the Preakness.
I remember Stevens saying after the race that he mistakenly thought that Touch Gold coming in the stretch was actually Crypto Star, because TG fell back after a half-mile. TG probably had more talent, but SC and Free House, what heart. Great race.
Crypto Star was the third choice in the field (~6-1, if I remember correctly).
In any case, Touch Gold left absolutely no doubt that he was the best horse in the race. Silver Charm couldn't do anything - he was forced to go all-out just to put away Free House.
Yeah, you know, I hadn't noticed that! TG did go to the lead and set a really SLOW pace. It was a weird strategy. Actually, it was quite brilliant if indeed that is what they planned to do. It worked perfectly! As far as betting on CS...ah well, sometimes you just gotta go with your gut. What were the odds on him that day? Take care.
That was one weird race ran by Touch Gold. He was leading at the first call.
I was so stupid this day, I had bet on Crypto Star to pull the upset. What a moron I was.
bnegs521 Says:
28/05/2011 6:07:24 AM
Toch Gold one of the weirdest routes to win I have ever seen. From first to fourth and then up at the end. I remember growing sick of Baffert and his mouth in 97 and I was glad when TG pulled it off. Might have had the Preakness that year too had he not fallen flat on his face out of the gate.
johningarfield Says:
18/05/2011 12:19:48 PM
Still can't expect any better from David Flores. Free House ran huge in the Preakness but Touch Gold was even better there. That is why I bet everything in my pocket on Touch Gold in the Belmont and convinced those with me to do the same! Not a bad price either if I remember correctly.
bg147 Says:
24/04/2010 1:00:02 PM
Great race. Free House put every ounce of energy into that race and then some. Good to see the rider stop on him when he knew he was no better than third.
KingofCzars1 Says:
29/08/2007 2:45:27 AM
Too bad Free House's jock took him 6 wide in the first turn, or he would have been closer.
ghostzapper2006 Says:
11/05/2007 11:51:55 PM
Touch Gold was much the best in the Preakness when he had huge running trouble and still only lost by 1 1/2. The Belmont was simply justice for this horse after he had a miserable trip in the Preakness.
zaius316 Says:
21/04/2007 6:10:00 AM
I was at the race. Everybody was convinced Silver Charm had it when Silver Charm took the lead into the final stretch, but it was not to be.
cf1970 Says:
23/03/2007 3:16:44 AM
I agree, fantastic battle to the wire. A classic. Take care.
wataru22 Says:
22/03/2007 8:09:21 PM
I remember Stevens saying after the race that he mistakenly thought that Touch Gold coming in the stretch was actually Crypto Star, because TG fell back after a half-mile. TG probably had more talent, but SC and Free House, what heart. Great race.
DanielSong39 Says:
6/03/2007 6:54:53 PM
Crypto Star was the third choice in the field (~6-1, if I remember correctly).
In any case, Touch Gold left absolutely no doubt that he was the best horse in the race. Silver Charm couldn't do anything - he was forced to go all-out just to put away Free House.
cf1970 Says:
6/02/2007 2:09:48 AM
Yeah, you know, I hadn't noticed that! TG did go to the lead and set a really SLOW pace. It was a weird strategy. Actually, it was quite brilliant if indeed that is what they planned to do. It worked perfectly! As far as betting on CS...ah well, sometimes you just gotta go with your gut. What were the odds on him that day? Take care.
zippyzoe Says:
5/02/2007 9:40:53 AM
That was one weird race ran by Touch Gold. He was leading at the first call. I was so stupid this day, I had bet on Crypto Star to pull the upset. What a moron I was.