[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.

[Amberdawn]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but what I took away from KD’s statement was that “a rookie horse and rider” will have little to no chance of winning the Belmont. Cauthen and Affirmed aside, the jockey aboard is young and may not have experience at Belmont and IHA probably hasn’t raced there yet. Belmont is a more forgiving track, but given the odds, IHA probably won’t win. IHA has a good chance, you’re right, but KD has history on his side. I hope IHA wins anyway!