Best closing kick ever seen?

[kentuckyrosesinmay]

Originally Posted by Gander

Afleet Alex was a very nice horse but closing kick? He took command at the top of the stretch to blast very average (at best) horses. How is that a closing kick? When Nolans Cat hits the board in a triple crown race, you know it wont go down as one of the deepest fields in history!

Afleet Alex was argueably the best closer of all time. Watch his Preakness move before the incident with Scrappy T...legendary. I have never seen such a move in all the races I have ever seen as extraordinary as that one. In the Belmont...it was...

"And Afleet Alex goes right by Giacomo as if he's standing still. Afleet Alex opening up with a tremendous burst of energy!"...Tom Durkin

In a matter of two seconds, Afleet Alex went from being even with Giacomo to being four lengths in front...one of the fastest last quarter of a miles ever in the history of the Belmont Stakes. When Alex turned it on, he could fly. It is too bad that Ritchey and Rose didn't finally figure out this horse until the Preakness, and it saddens me to think of how great this horse could have been had he not been injured.

[PSH]

When i first started going to the track, Forego had that awesome kick carrying tons of weight (unlike the horses of today) and its Forego moving like a freight train to catch Quiet Little Table....

Forego!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[brockguy]

arazi had a decent closing kick, jock went way too early in BCJ!!

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by Davona Dale

Okay here goes! Someone told me to just jump right in and that there are no stupid questions.

I watched the Belmont and thought the horse that won Jazil had a tremendous "kick" or am I not understanding the term?

Actually you're right on both accounts. There are no stupid questions and yes Jazil had a very good closing kick to win the Belmont. That's what the term means, a late burst of speed in the race.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by Davona Dale

Hot dog! My first comment and I didn't make a total fool of myself. What a great way to start the day. Thank you so much for responding.

I watched the Derby and saw this horse go from last place to 4th place in a blink of an eye. I'm told he doesn't weigh much but that's good when they are running in these longer races.

I hear the term classic distance. Is that the distances run in the Triple Crown or is it just the long race in the Belmont?

Don't worry about posting questions or making a fool of yourself. People will generally be pretty civil towards you. You'll do fine. Everyone here asks questions at some point or another. Heck I have stupid questions at times and I've been doing this a long time!

The Classics are races like the Kentucky Derby, The Belmont, and the Breeders Cup Classic. I'm not entirely sure how many distances are considered classic, but I do know that 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) is considered the classic distance. That is the distance of the Kentucky Derby and the Breeder Cup Classic.

Like I said the Belmont at 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs) may also be considered a classic distance, I'm just not sure. Others will know for sure.

thanks

[Bogey]

Daylami '99 BC Turf at Gulfstream
Afleet Alex a few times.
Monarchos '01 Florida Derby
Crytoclearance deep closer
Megahertz always brought it.

Just a few that come to mind.

Some people are calling the Travers a "classic" now, but i have no idea why I always thought that was reserved for the races you just mentioned.

[Pedigree Ann]

If one wants to go on a single closing performance, I would have to go with Just James' run in the Coral Eurobet Sprint Handicap on 25May2002 at Newmarket over the straight 6f. To quote the Racing Post chart:

A fiercely competitive event, and an astonishing win by JUST JAMES, who was detached from the pack with a couple of furlongs to go and seemingly an also-ran. He found a tremendous burst down the middle of the track in the final furlong - having been switched from the far rails - to get up in the final strides as several of those who tried to stay with the strong pace hit the wall.

This horse looked totally beaten with the finish in sight and just ran right by the 19 other horses in the field. He went on to win the G3 Jersey S at Royal Ascot two starts later.

[Downthestretch55]

Might not be the best ever for sure, but Saballina looked very good in the 8th today at Bel.

[sumitas]

Seek Gold was a tremendous close.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by sumitas

Seek Gold was a tremendous close.

An illusion. Everyone stopped in front of him, including PD who pulled himself up.