Hi guys,
Afleet Alex is on the comeback trail. Put in a nice work at Belmont on Friday. If he comes out of his next race good, which he usuallly does, he will be heading to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Here’s a link to a recent article:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=2183837
Oh, yeah, I read about that. Also, his work on Friday was two seconds faster than the 1/2 mile in the Lanes End, and only one second slower than the 1/2 mile in the Frizette, which did have early speed. Not bad for a horse with a fracture that isn’t completely healed, no?
DRF says that Ritchey is pointing Afleet Alex toward the Cigar Mile, after the BC. Raise your hand if you’re already clearing your schedule to watch that race?
I am definately looking forward to seeing him come back. I didn’t go with him in the Kentucky Derby, had Sun King, but quickly gained alot of respect for this horse after that race. He was sent way too early in the Derby, and still managed to finish a close up third, beaten only 1 length in a 1 1/4 mile race. Very gutsy race. Except for one race, his past performance lines are spectacular. And, well, what can you say about the Belmont Stakes. Unbelievable. This is one tough horse. His trainer gives him 2 mile gallops for workouts. I think he can run all day. This will be his first time facing older horses in the Breeders’ Cup, but looks like he can step up and be very competitve versus any kind. And on top of that, what a story. I love this horse! 
He’s not going to the BC. His leg just hasn’t healed 100% yet, so they’re going to wait it out. Maybe put him in the Cigar Mile in November. Can’t blame them, I would rather have him race for his 4 year old year rather than risk a career ending injury for the BC because he isn’t all healed up yet.
For whatever reason I’m not a fan of this horse. I think it’s a combination of the “great story” (aka pukeyness on the part of all of the people associated with him) and his barfy website. 
I think he’s a great athlete, sure, but I’m not a fan. (At least, though, there wasn’t a huge uproar about how he “should” have been a TC winner, like with Point Given – except on the part of his jockey, of course, but he fits into the pukeyness mentioned above.)
Not to take away from the athletic ability of the horse, because I do agree he is a very talented Racehorse, but I agree with Shanti. As far as his trainer and jockey goes, thier sporstmanlike conduct was very lacking. Because of them, i’m not a fan .
I do wish him luck and speedy recovery though.
Well, it’s as shame he’s not going to the Breeders’ Cup but I kinda agree with the connections. If he’s not 100%, I wouldn’t race him either. Oh well. Everyone has their own opinion, but I think he’s a great horse.
I’m amazed at his recovery in the Preakness and do think he’s probably a very talented athlete and very courageous horse. That said, I do have to agree that all the drama about him going into the TC was rather… gagging.
And as far as 2mile gallops… I’d imagine most horses can gallop 2 miles for their regular workout, just most trainers don’t see a point in it. I do like the trainer’s style, from what I’ve heard. He seems to be a little less worried that his horses are fragile glass.
As far as his connections, I actually think that they’re some of the best in the business. How many people would have retired him to stud and started raking in the dough from an anstronomical stud fee? They’ve always said that they care about the horse more than the money, and although I may not think that’s entirely true, I don’t think that they’re greedy money-suckers like you usually find around the GI-stakes winners.
I also don’t think it’s fair to get down on a horse because of his connections – he can’t help who owns him. It would be like saying that you love chocolate but because your worst enemy likes it, you’re not going to eat it. Come on. I hate those sop stories as much as the next person. But, you have to admit, that’s a pretty incredible story. And since I work with disabled kids, the part about the girl Alex really hit home for me.
Okay, ending rant … for now.
Hey, I never said I dislike the horse, just that I’m not an active fan of his. Yes, he can’t help who owns/trains/rides him, but that doesn’t mean I have to like him just because he’s helpless about it.
And his connections may be more interested in the horse than the money, but I have my doubts about any stable named “Cash Is King”. 
I just read that Afleet Alex will not race again this year. They are hoping to get him back on track in 2006
Just an aside on Alex and his connections. And of course I may be a bit biased since the followed Smarty and in the Philadelphia area we will throw a parade for Hot Dog Eating champion desperation does that. I agree that the trainer is a bit um off, but I will have to stick up for the owners, or at least the original crew that I have met, they have not really changed a bit since they started this magic ride, still the same folks you’ll find at the Diner. And the Alex Lemonade Stand got great exposure…
Just my two scents…