Yes he missed the break but I can\'t figure out what his jockey was trying to do entering the far turn and then turning for home.  Somehow he manages to put his horse in last place turning for home, yet Materiality runs strong all the way into 6th.  Wild, adventurous trip for Materiality.  Looked like an awfully poor ride me.

And it\'s not just figures at Belmont.  What about Gulfstream?  A 1:48 3/5 9f race gets the greatest figure of all time?  Times are not getting faster, but figures are...so what is happening to the racetrack surfaces?  Are all surfaces at major tracks getting deeper and slower year after year?  Why would that be the case?

As for Belmont - has anything else changes to the other layers of the racing surface since the 1970\'s?  Anyone have similar illustrations of the surface from prior decades?  Thanks to hooper for posting that - very interesting.

Ever seen the Pimlico surface this slow?

Many horses who win sit midpack, then make huge move on turn.  Other than Curlin (7th) and Afleet Alex (10th) who were already mentioned, Charismatic was 10th after 1/2, Red Bullet was 6th down backstretch, Lookinatlucky was 5th/6th down backstretch (of 12), Real Quiet was 8th down backstretch (of 11).

Orb has typical style of many Preakness winners - relax early, stay in contact down back stretch, big move turn, strong finish.  Just like his Florida Derby win - sat in 5th about 3 1/2 lengths off leaders.

I\'m a longtime stalker of this board.  First post.  Black Caviar was her usual spectacular self.  Hay List tried to box her in entering turn - nice job by Nolan to prevent that.  She just exploded at head of stretch - Rain Affair didn\'t know what hit him.  That\'s 39 different group 1 winners she has now defeated. She makes really good horses look ordinary. The only 2 races anyone ever got close, she tore muscles yet still won.  What a horse!

What do you think they do with her - head to Ascot for 1 final race or stay in Australia for a few more?  I would prefer to see her in the All Aged against Pierro, All Too Hard, and More Joyous.  Those are probably the only other horses in Australia even remotely capable of challenging her from 5-7f.