[Amberdawn]

Steve Cauthen and Affirmed were rookies too, come to think of it....It will be a hard race for this horse to win, nevermind the fresh horses coming in, but I wish them luck.

[massgopguy]

Finneran, the horse that came in 3rd in the Derby did not run the Preakness. But I still like IHA in the longer Belmont. $17,000,000 in the pot.

[scram2]

I know nothing of racing so could you explain why (in your view) it would be a hard race for him to win and why “fresh horses coming in” means aside from the obvious, meaning they are different horses, would make a difference?

Thanks

[Gee Wally]

Desormeaux is talking about being a rookie at Belmont Park. Belmont is a one and one-half mile oval, unlike Churchill Downs and Pimlico, which are the far more common one mile oval. Affirmed had 5 races at Belmont as a 2-year old, all with Cauthen riding. Both horse and rider were familiar with the track and its layout prior to Affirmed's Triple Crown clinching win in the Belmont Stakes.

That being said, Desormeaux is nuts if he thinks I'll Have Another has no chance to win.