Afleet Alex Belmont Stakes 2005 - amazing kick in the end!

This is Afleet Alex dusting the competition in the 2005 Belmont Stakes. He has amazing kick at the end of his races and his early races show that too. It's a sheer shame he was retired after this race.
This footage includes coverage after the race.

[@whirlaway05]

"Afleet Alex just ran by Giacomo like he was standing still!!"- I love that! This is my favorite Belmont besides Secretariat's. I love Afleet Alex!!

[@JOHN----DOE]

+Whirlaway Well, those two and Rags to Riches. The way she faced down Curlin was spectacular.

[@charlesstich1821]

Not old enough to remember Risen Star?

[@boswindle9050]

Seattle Slew for me

[@callmeishmael4659]

he took off like he had a rocket up his ass, jesus

[@chrispafrieddreams9118]

@@charlesstich1821 Risen star by 15, by 18 he looks just like his Daddy..

[@mellopez8739]

"Afleet Alex just ran by Giacomo like he was standing still " that just encapsules how lucky Giacomo really got in the Derby. Afleet Alex was on a different level

[@brucerobbins6528]

Jock was a 50-1 shot in the Derby. "The luckiest horse wins the Derby, the fastest horse wins the Preakness, but the BEST horse wins the Belmont". Alex was 2 and 3. A much better horse than giacomo.

[@johnnyjack1552]

A great Horse

[@alexanderpatrick4866]

Giacomo was a horrible fluke......!

[@gregrice1532]

Giacomi was a lucky pig

[@ScotchIrishTarheel]

Afleet Alex should have been disqualified. Only race horses are allowed to run in the Belmont. He was a rocket ship.

[@HorsesIC]

ScotchIrishTarheel I was going to get mad, then I got happy.

[@alexd442]

ScotchIrishTarheel ha

[@brucerobbins3584]

yeah, Alex was a one run horse. Stayed at the back of the pack for most of the race, saving his energy for the final turn. You must have great "turn of foot" , that is the ability to accelerate on a dime, and Alex had it. Most Belmonts go to the front runner, but Jeremy Rose rode him perfectly, and that, with his stamina and turn of foot, and toughness just made the other horses ask why they even bothered to come out. Giacomo was stupidly overrated that year.Alex's pre-Derby races were all won easily. It was a good year for horses, but Alex was the best.

[@larrythiel691]

Lol! My favorite race horse ever.

[@desertgirl2371]

I loved Afleet Alex ans so did Jeremy Rose..

[@kelleybunny]

alex was my favorite horse ever... such heart.. he gave his all in these races!

[@alexanderpatrick4866]

The energy from that horse was incredible, one of the greatest of all time!

[@rachelalexandra9818]

The absolute cream of that crop - and it was a sin that he didn't win the TC. He was such an exciting horse to watch!!

[@blueeyedhorse6189]

What a horse he is! He should have one the Triple Crown for sure!!

[@brucerobbins6528]

Giacomo beat two horses in the Derby. Closiung Argument and Alex. No more than a length. Yes, Alex should have won the TC!!!

[@question_it_701]

@@brucerobbins6528 Could have. Not should have.

[@brucerobbins6528]

@@question_it_701 No, should have. He was a much better horse than Giacomo annd proved it on the track!!!!

[@question_it_701]

@@brucerobbins6528 should have. So then ....Point Given should have. Smarty Jones. Alysheba, Sunday Silence, California Chrome, etc.... all "should have"? I agree. Afleet Alex was much much better than Giacamo. But that doesn't me "he should have won". Based on your rationale, there should never be any upsets in horse racing.

[@alexanderpatrick4866]

​@@question_it_701no..... Should have!

[@nycitylifeandhistory]

The Derby is all about the trip and the Belmont all about the talent

[@ken45y]

Oh God..enough with the "garbage fields, weak crops" We get that every year!!!! Say what you will but this horse was an athlete.

[@kadir1982]

Afleet Alex...what an animal! There are GREAT horses who ve come along and who done the unthinkable but alex? He will always have a special place in my heart...

[@DexterHaven]

kadir1982 Honor Code's win yesterday reminds me of Afleet Alex, same muscular sprint.

[@jesusfuckingchrist7274]

He was the greatest!

[@jonbrockway6663]

Rush 2112 my way

[@jonbrockway6663]

.net e finding my way Rush

[@meymolyons7295]

I’ve watched this a jillion times. Inspirational 🎉 🏇🏿 thanks 😊

[@jeremyrosefan]

afleet alex was so amazing! i wish he could have ran in the Breeders Cup Classic, i know he would have won it.

[@question_it_701]

You don't know.

[@ballenkerr7843]

Alex is still a beautiful horse even today. He’s my favorite!!

[@pellebravesskylar]

The announcer's "And Afleet Alex runs by Giacamo as if he were standing still!" has to rank up there as one of the best lines ever!

[@alexanderpatrick4866]

True!

[@ScottBiladeau]

Should of been a triple crown winner

[@lawrenceredfilm8650]

Afleet Alex is my favorite of all time. Jeremy said the horse was 3C worthy, the jockey wasn't. said he moved too soon in the derby....still love him.

[@callmeishmael4659]

interesting

[@bat6t]

I've watched this like 50 times and I get goosebumps evertime. Greatest horse ever!

[@heidijankowski5558]

I had the privilege of watching Secretariat win the Triple Crown. He may be the greatest horse ever, but Afleet Alex is my favorite horse ever.

[@CamaroKidd2022]

Great race but Afleet didn't break Big Reds record time. Secretariat is the Goat until some horse comes along and breaks his record times in all 3 races of the TC

[@boswindle9050]

@@CamaroKidd2022 no he isn't? Tell Onion who chased Big Red down and beat him he is the GOÀT

[@CamaroKidd2022]

@@boswindle9050 did you ever lose at anything in your life? Secretariat was races 21 times in times in 16 months which averages out to a little over 1 time a month! He was raced two times on 9 days rest! Don't you think he probably got tired once in awhile and lost some races because of it? Every human, horse, dog, cat, etc etc has their bad days. Do the best NFL, NBA, NHL teams ever lose? Did Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus ever lose a golf tournament? They are the best golfers of all time but they lost a lot! As you know Secretariat won the TC and set records in all three and that will never be broken. He also holds other records as you know and he has the highest Beyer speed ever at 139. Instead of blabbing your mouth and saying nothing why don't you say who the GOAT is and give reason's! I don't want to hear that it is FL who only raced 6 times in 18 months! Secretariat raced more in 5 weeks then Flightline did in 1 year! Secretariat and MOW are the greatest horse's ever.

[@boswindle9050]

@@CamaroKidd2022 so time isn't everything? Overall I think Slew is a better IMO. He had the better career which makes him better...that's my point

[@matthewjbutch]

What a horse. One of my top 3 favorite horses. Should've won the Triple Crown.

[@wabstat]

VERY underrated horse. Tremendous talent.

[@kareemwhyte7200]

He would have smashed the competition in the breeder's cup that year.

[@TheDarkAntares]

Saint Liam would’ve said no.

[@Venckman]

I was so disappointed when they retired him. I think the consensus was that the injury was a result of his Preakness mishap. He was such an explosive runner, and such a big-hearted, fun little horse to watch.

[@gobabygirlzen]

I just love this little horse with all my heart!

[@johnfsu6789]

Should have been a Triple Crown winner! What a horse.

[@dat_one_gamerpaul2457]

Haggler vs hearns

[@juandiaz9065]

But he didn't Uppppsss So sorry Most famous kentucky derby winner GIACOMO

[@dawgho2]

he should have won the triple crown..

[@goforwand31]

zdlr Yes he should have.

[@GermanOperaSinger]

goforwand31 KY Derby's such a crapshoot these days, with that 20 horse mob, doesn't matter even if you're Citation or Secretariat if you get a bad trip, you just can't win it. I've more respect for Preakness/Belmont winners like Point Given and Afleet Alex than for dual Derby/Preakness winners, who run out of steam at a mile and half.

[@UnionRags123]

GermanOperaSinger It's a shame we'll never know how I'll Have Another would've done...in the Belmont Stakes.

[@fullstrutn]

GermanOperaSinger way too many horses in the Derby!!!

[@bubblinbrownsugar616]

Maya Joffe I agree but I have much respect for O'Neill thinking about the well being of the horse. To make that decision when you have with a potential triple crown winner, dollar signs everywhere and the nation's attention had to be a tough pill to swallow.

[@dabomb2045]

We've seen alot of close calls to the Triple Crown recently....Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Charismatic, Smarty Jones etc. But I think out of all them, I think Afleet Alex is the one that I can really say with 100% belief should have won the Crown.

[@StFidjnr]

A bad jockey in the Kentucky derby

[@corneliagirl101]

LOVED his horse, one of the GREAT ones! he had the speed, the determination and the heart. One of the best to never win the triple crown. If i win the lottery he's the first thoroughbred stud i'd buy lol

[@terrifictroll1916]

This horse only ran 12 times and was getting better with each race..Afleet Alex had a chance to really become one of the "Great Ones"..What a POWERFUL animal..if he didnt get injured i can definitely see him crushing field after field..this race alone was eye popping

[@bennyboy6367]

Funny that so many people in these comments are saying Afleet Alex is their favorite horse. There are so many great horses but the 2005 Preakness victory was incredible, then follow that with this great win in the Belmont. This horse was definitely fun to watch. What a horse. And yes, one of my favorites too.

[@question_it_701]

Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex have a special place in many people's hearts. Alex's Lemonade Stand plays a part in the love for Afleet Alex.

[@chrisuncleahmad]

The rare reverse Triple Crown miss (Win Preakness and Belmont, Lose Derby) instead of what we're used to

[@kentuckyman21]

Chris Kreager Hansel did that in 91

[@D1TemplarKnight]

Sam M, as did Secretariat's boy, Risen Star.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Proving he deserved to be a Triple Crown winner but for that horrible misfortune in the slop at Churchill.

[@jesusfuckingchrist7274]

Had they made the point system for the Derby a decade earlier, Afleet Alex was Triple Crown winner for sure. Walls of stopping horses in front of him compromised his move on three occasions. Those sprinter types who would absolutely stop after 7f are no longer allowed in the Derby.

[@brucerobbins3584]

Alex should have won the TC easily. He was the best horse of that year of many good horses. Andromeda's Here, Nolan's Cat and other. It was a freak Derby with the "luckiest horse wins". Alex was not lucky. But he showed h imself to be the best even in the pre Derby races.

[@phillipivey5476]

Risen Star, Smarty Jones, Spectacular Bid, and Afleet Alex should have all been TC winners.

[@silvereyedstacker1842]

Phillip Ivey All worthy and spectacular horses.

[@amygilboard3327]

My favorite horse of all time

[@staceyhoffrichter3184]

Love Afleet Alex.Should have been a triple crown winner.

[@gobabygirlzen]

He's my choice to be Zenyattas baby daddy. Can you even imagine what the baby could be?

[@bnegs521]

Point Given and Afleet Alex, those are two horses that I scratch my head over them not winning the Triple Crown but the derby is so tough with 20 horses.

[@kelleybunny]

i think his rider didnt give him a good ride in the derby.. i feel alex could have won the triple crown.

[@bnegs521]

Jeremy Rose did not give him a good ride in the Derby you are right on there. He saved him in the Preakness from a disaster and had a great ride in the Belmont. But you are right the Derby trip was a bad one for Rose.

[@kelleybunny]

alex was a great race horse.. one of my favs.. i remember how before this race they were doubting him.. he showed them!.. i also like how nolans cat came in 3rd.. after being 10 off... in last place :)

[@bnegs521]

I agree with you about Nolan's Cat. A late strider like Concern or Mine That Bird.I saw Nolan's Cat in person at Presque Isle Downs in PA. He won his race with that patented late kick.

[@jamesbarry8526]

bnegs521 Nolan's Cat was a maiden too

[@ScotchIrishTarheel]

I dearly love Afleet Alex. One of my all-time five favorite horses. But keep his last quarter in context. His overall time of 2:28.75 would still have lost to Secretariat by 23-24 lengths. In fact, AA's time may not be in the top 20 fastest Belmonts. When the pace is slow you have a lot of energy to sprint the last bit. Anyway, he should have won the Triple Crown.

[@DexterHaven]

Alex was the best horse that year.

[@TheDarkAntares]

Saint Liam was the best that year.

[@joechrow8341]

24 2/5 finals 1/4....He was FLYING!!

[@alivewithpassion]

Tom Durkin is the best announcer. Too bad he isn't doing it anymore.

[@alexd442]

AliveWithPassion Larry collmus is pretty good

[@smartyjonesfan]

looks like Andromeda's Hero got some of Afleet Alex's energy, the two of them made the rest of the horses look like they were standing still

[@mallorys728]

The greatest racehorse ever to not of won the Triple Crown. Period.

[@mallorys728]

I meant within the last quarter century but I get what you mean

[@SnidgetAsphodel]

MoW didn't really try. Back then the TC was not the TC we know today. All respect to MoW, of course as I think he is one of the best two racehorses to ever live, but let's not include him in that discussion.

[@supersolo6]

Hmmmmm... keeping it fairly recent: Spectacular Bid Alysheba Point Given Smarty Jones I'll Have Another Were all better than AA to me. I think he was definitely awesome, but I thought those horses were better as 3 y.o.

[@morgancameron8793]

Barbaro

[@brucerobbins3584]

Mallory: Well, you are going to have arguments from quite a few people. Ever hear of Spectacular Bid? Native Dancer? Kelso? Buckpasser? Forego? I love Alex, too, but there are so many greats who also did not win the TC.

[@williamfluck148]

Awesome to watch even years after!

[@spicetruckin]

you left out Ramon Dominguez, Jose Lezcano, Joel Rosario. Nakatani is so so. Garcia has been so so for a while. But, that's not the point. I agree that Jeremy Rose is not a 1st rate jockey. I only disagreed with the part that he should not be put on AA etc. If you have a good thing going, you don't meddle with it sometimes. I think that's what they followed with AA. Of course, now Ramon Dominguez is a great jockey, but he surely messed up with Scrappy T there in that preakness

[@strwbrypop]

Just watched this again, for the umpteenth time. Alex' performance will always stand out in my memory as one of the great moments in racing. The only fly in this ointment was Tom Durkin's call, where he: Unashamedly fawned over Giacomo throughout the race, to the extent that I though he was going to contemplate suicide when Alex blew by Giacomo. He stacked the fractions on top of one another, instead of keeping up, he stumbled over names and always seemed to be a step behind in his call, noting that Rose hadn't moved Alex and that he was coming on, in the same sentence! I have heard Durkin call innumerable races since and he's competent, but I cannot erase the image he created this day.

[@BurnNotice2023]

Afleet Alex made his move while he was speaking is why it came out like that, when he started the gap was not shrinking and Giacomo was making his move

[@spicetruckin]

that's a BS comment.Jeremy Rose and this horse had a great connection and they won almost every time they rode (except Kderby and maybe one other). But, Johnny V (he is a 1st rate jockey right?) he rode Afleet Alex in the Rebel Stakes and came 6th. You can check it out on equibase

[@hatcher2262]

And Afleet Alex just ran by Giacomo like his was standing still!!!!! Its still bothers me how Jeremy Rose roded Afleet Alex in the derby, The whole team upset with Rose with that derby ride.

[@clintonpearson6903]

you just cant top this Belmont win. omg. no horse has had a turn of foot in the Belmont everm

[@boswindle9050]

Easy Goer

[@nessmabuyo7357]

My favorite Horse

[@Caroni100]

Afleet Alex (May 9, 2002 - ) * Sire: Northern Afleet * Grandsire: Afleet * Dam: Maggy Hawk * Damsire: Hawkster * Sex: Stallion * Breeder: John Martin Silvertand * Owner: Cash in King Stable * Trainer: Tim Ritchey * 12 Starts * 8 Wins * 2 Seconds * 1 Third * $ 2,765,800 earned * 2005 U.S. Champion 3-Year-Old Male Colt * 2005 NTRA "Moment of the Year" Greetings from Venezuela Afleet Alex (9 de Mayo, 2002 - ) * Padre: Northern Afleet * Abuelo materno: Afleet * Madre: Maggy Hawk * Abuelo materno: Hawkster * Sexo: Semental * Criador: John Martin Silvertand * Propietario: Cash in King Stable * Entrenador: Tim Ritchey * 12 Salidas * 8 Primeros * 2 Segundos * 1 Tercero * $ 2,765,800 producidos * Campeón Tresañero de Estados Unidos 2005 * "Momento del Año" NTRA 2005 Saludos desde Venezuela.

[@penelopelopez8296]

Love Afleet Alex.

[@The17romeo]

It was obvious from listening to both the Preakness and the Belmont the announcer favored Giacamo........ Even after the miraculous win in the Preakness. One of the greatest horses of all time.

[@spicetruckin]

haha, the other person is a troll and you fell for it. I mean, who comes to an Afleet Alex video and blabbers.. it's cool man, AA is super!

[@mottthehoople684]

what a kick..dramatic and very impressive...Look how quickly he gapped the field!

[@spicetruckin]

So, what do you think? I mean G.O.D. did NOT win the classic.. she is a good jockey.. but not top notch in the current field

[@tjjlm444]

all jocks mess up at 1 time or another but you are telling me if you had a horse of the quality of aa you would pick rose?cmon bro your lying if you say you would.remember when franki d got injured in a plane crash who did they get to ride dubai millenium?ill tell you who they got jerry bailey they got a jock from another country because that horse was such high quality they needed that high quality of a jock.when you have horses that good its more or less just dont lose the race with jock error

[@tjjlm444]

yes i agree they did have a great connection but rose is not a top notch jockey.there is a reason that certain jocks are with the best trainers because they are better riders.you will never see any of the top trainers searching out rose to ride their horses if you know horse racing you cant possibly disagree with me.riders dont always make the difference but you tell me if you have a great horse are you taking rose over garcia,johnny v,bejerano,nakatani,smith?

[@tjjlm444]

well i think that elliot absolutely killed smarty in that belmont and he had a race 2 races before his only race on the card and he decided not to ride.all the track regulars who we were sitting with said bad move which i agreed because you cant fully appreciate belmonts home stretch until you are there it is twce the size of any other track ive been to.elliot made his move way too soon and also bailey and stevens werent gonna let a journeyman jockey win the tc.they ran a relay race on him.

[@Soccertz1]

@kostly lol, I really feel sorry for you. Either you are very very young. Hmmm let's see.... Under the age of twelve. Or you are a very bitter little old man. So, if you are on the young side there is still a chance to change your life for the better. :) stop commenting so hatefully and relax. Life is much too short to be angry all the time. Another thing you must learn is that no matter what horse is that persons favorite "including yours" they are all beautiful animals and no matter how hard

[@tjjlm444]

i was at the belmont stakes that year smarty lost and afterwards we were stuck in brutal traffic there was a durango next to us with a woodbine park logo on the side so i said to the guy driving if your man patrick husbands was on that horse he would have won the tc well there was a girl in the passenger seat and he said well if she was on the horse he woulda won the tc and i said who are you and she said chantel sutherland i didnt know her then but i know her now lol.

[@tjjlm444]

jeremy rose is a 2nd rate jockey and always was.he was a good rider at charlestown and pimlico.this was and will only ever be his claim to fame was riding afleet alex.just because he is still riding doesnt mean hes big time you have tons of jockeys out there riding every day because theres tons of tracks.there are plenty of roses at penn nat,emerald,suffolk,finger,tampa,hawthorne get the drift i can name 100 more tracks if i wanted.

[@joefederico]

Not to take anything away from Alex, this was a garbage field and he made 'em look like that too. Would have done the same in the Preakness had he not been mugged on the turn by Scrappy T. Alex overcame adversity from birth having to have a nurse mare after his mother fell ill 24 hours after he was born. Originally sold for $150K he was re-sold a year later for $75K. Champion 3-yo with the heart of a champion too.

[@skontch1]

one of the great things about horse racing is that everyone has their opinion about certain horse's greatness, and there is no way to truly find out who's right. i think AA was the best since big red. there is too much luck involved (lousy trips, lousy jocks) to go by just winning races. knowing that only big red ran a faster last 1/4 than alex, speaks volumes. the races i always watch are this one, alex's preakness, zenyatta's '09 cup, and forego's '76 marlboro, man, do i love this sport...

[@Kostly]

@MissStarryDay AT a a mile and a half? OK, lets go to a mile and three-quarters. How many win over Afleet Alex? Probably ZERO. Zenyatta was the same way. She was hampered by the distances of normal horses. As the distances increased, so does these horses chances of winning increases.Even though Alex Lost ata mile and a quarter, he was a victim of to much work in the race.Therein lies the genius of how zenyatta was run, very simple gameplan to execute as long as everyone stays outta ur way

[@Kostly]

@MissStarryDay I really wish he could have at least finished that year. Go to the BCC and romp that. I wish he had a 4 year old campaign, too. Like you said, he was never given the chance because they were scared about his injuries. Most likely a result of that near fall at top speed in the preakness. But, I imagine he would have been very successful in the travers and the BCC in 2005. AT least he's a successful stallion, his progeny look great on the track.

[@MissStarryDay]

@gocanes101 Best since Secretariat? o.O I can understand the mindset that people, myself included, underrate Afleet Alex... But have you ever heard of Easy Goer? (among others, but EG is the first that came to mind) He was the definition of "monster." The fact that Sunday Silence defeated him 3 times makes him a great horse as well - and Sunday was also a 2/3 TC winner. Even in the same year as Alex, you have the freakish Ghostzapper. Greatest of the decade, imo, but its hard to define "great"

[@MissStarryDay]

@Kostly I agree that he would've been a TC winner had he not been a victim of a poor trip. That said, who did he beat in any of his races? Scrappy T, Giacomo, Closing Argument, Sun King, Andromeda's Hero? Giacomo was the only other G1 winner of that bunch. Maybe my problem is that while Afleet Alex had the guts to be a legend, he was never given a chance to, a la Smarty Jones. Loved the horse as a fan, but he was the best of a weak group. Pity he wasn't born in 07 - then we'd see what he had

[@Kostly]

And those of you saying he was "beating" Alex with the whip, watch the damn replay. He hits him maybe 6 times. He even holds back one or two whips. You think Jeremy Rose doesn't give a shit about this horse? This horse probably saved his life and whatever was left of his career in the Preakness. Of course he cares about this horse. No casual fan would know who J-Rose is without Alex.

[@Kostly]

@MissStarryDay Out of all those 2/3 TC winners, which of them won the Belmont? Certainly not Smarty Jones. So how exactly would those horses "dust" Afleet Alex at 1-1/2 miles? I think it would be reversed. Afleet Alex had one horse to beat as far as the fastest final 1/4 mile and that horse is Big Red. Afleet Alex should have won the TC. Him losing the KD was more a product of too many horses to navigate and starting him too early on his stretch run. You like most others, underrate him.

[@MissStarryDay]

@MissStarryDay That said, I adore Afleet Alex, and I think he was one of the most tenacious horses ever. I just think he had what I think of as "Big Brown syndrome" - he was much the best of an average-at-best group. But rest assured I think Alex would've been able to soundly defeat that 2/3 TC winner in a race. If Afleet Alex is underrated, then Big Brown is supremely overrated. No one ever called Alex the next coming of Secretariat =P

[@MissStarryDay]

@datduck11 can't agree with you, unfortunately. he had the heart of a champion, but among horses to win only 2/3 of the Crown, Alex is near the bottom when it comes to who would win in a race. keep in mind that his crop was diminished by MRLS. among horses to win 2/3 of the Triple Crown, I think Real Quiet, Point Given, Silver Charm, Smarty Jones, Bimelech, Sunday Silence, among others would've all dusted him. And as for horses to only win one leg of the TC, Easy Goer is the best of the best.

[@Kostly]

I would take Afleet Alex over all three. There are only a few horses I would choose over Afleet Alex and not too many recently. Alex has something a great many horses lack SUPER twitch muscles. All of a sudden he hits top speed when you ask him for it. That's a very good trait to have if you're a stretch runner. Sense the others starting to slow down, punch the gas. OMG, Zenyatta and Afleet Alex. Just ONCE! See what comes out. I don't know shit about blood though. lol

[@Kostly]

If Rose would have waited for horses in front and to the side to clear out at the top of the stretch like Giacomo did, the Alex would have pressed Giacomo instead of Giacomo pressing Alex. I think Alex liked passing horses. But, he's not invincible and that Derby run would have tired any great horse trying to get out of that mess halfway through the last turn going to the top of the stretch. Jeremy rushed it there and he knows it.

[@dubby300]

Apparently you dont know horse racing because Jeremy Rose himself said he cost Afleet Alex in every race that he lost, he was not as confident in those races as he was in the Preakness and the Belmont, he felt that he needed to move earlier. If he would have the nerve of Calvin Borel (other than his ride on MTB in the Belmont) he would have waited for the other horses to come back to him and A.A. would have never had to lose a race. That includes the Derby, but MTB is no Afleet Alex.

[@freespeech4all757]

Why 'Alex' was retired (From Wiki) : "The colt's fall campaign was derailed when he was found in late July 2005 to have a hairline fracture in his left front cannon bone, near the ankle. The fracture was discovered very early, and the prognosis was good for Afleet Alex to return to his previous level of performance. Once fully healed, the colt returned to working for the Breeder's Cup Classic, putting in two bullet works. However, Tim Ritchey decided to take the conservative path with the colt and shelved him for the year. Later in the year, avascular necrosis (the dying of tissue in the bone, creating a brittle patch) was discovered and diagnosed. The necrosis was probably due to an undetected deep bruise sustained when Afleet Alex nearly fell in the Preakness. It is believed the necrosis caused his summer condylar fracture. Tim Ritchey and Cash is King Stable announced the horse's retirement from racing on December 1, 2005.

[@Kostly]

This horse happens to be my favorite horse ever. I'm a fan of AA...big time. You got a problem with that? I'd put him against ANY horse in the past 30 years at a mile and a half and he'd CRUSH them. Ghostzapper, FUCK him. AA would wreck shop on that horse at a mile and a half. Period. Who else? Alex romps.

[@Soccertz1]

@Kostly geeeeez how many times have you watched and commented on this video? Lol I also agree with the consensus that AA's jockey is a moron for hitting the horse while he was already so far ahead. It's possible that those stress fractures wouldn't have come about or been career ending had he not made the horse go all in down the stretch.

[@bnegs521]

That's not the big time buddy. I'm talkin bout the Derby, Preakness, Belmont, Breeder's Cup. I could go on and on even in the run up to the Triple Cropwn he is no longer called upon. You are right he has won some races but he is not a go to jockey at all. If you feel he still is then we have a differing opinion of what BIG TIME is.

[@PlaYah1979]

I couldn't agree more mkinn.....He needs to show some compassion..If it wasn't for these amazing animals...There would be no sport of kings....What he did to that horse is just sick..Not many jocks would keep driving to the finish like that..A good example in everyone of his triple crown races.. Seattle Slew was eased at the wire....He doesn't deserve a horse like this

[@skontch1]

great call by durkin, but charlsie really hits the nail on the head..."what a little super horse"...."and he kinda chirps to him, gets him moving and then it's katie bar the door...he's just gone, he's just gone"...secretariat and forego were always my favorite horses of all time, but alex now has to be right up there also...what a horse

[@dubby300]

Afleet Alex would eat MTB's lunch each and every day, mine that bird could not even warm up Afleet Alex, MTB has only 1 run in him 1 run only and he has to get daylight to be able to win. AA was versatile, he could be close or he could stalk or he could close but he wasnt a 1 run horse, he could do anything Jeremy Rose wanted him to within reason.

[@callmeishmael4659]

A couple things here: 1) how ELITE was Afleet Alex? MY GOD 2) Andromeda's Hero in any normal yr would've won here and w/o him in the race Alex wins by 15 lengths? jesus christ

[@WarrenThacker]

Afleet Alex would have won the Kentucky Derby but jockey Jeremy Rose dropped him to the inside for the stretch run and the rail was absolutely not the place to be that day. I was there that day and he would have won if he had stayed in the middle of the track. In an interview that was in the Daily Racing Form a few days after the race , Jeremy Rose admitted that the move to the inside cost him the win in the Kentucky Derby . I was on him in all 3 Triple Crown Races and he won 2 of them but should have been a Triple Crown winner! That Preakness win was amazing when he stumbled so badly that he almost went to his knees but recovered to win was simply a miracle. I've never seen anything that amazing for a horse to overcome what happened to him that day and still WIN!

[@Kostly]

@MissStarryDay Yeah, unfortunate that he had the career threatening injury. Which I believe was probably sustained in the Preakness, and it progressed in the Belmont. BUt, yeah, I would've loved to see him in the BCC that year. But, he's been pumping out some really nice offspring, thus far.

[@Kostly]

@BrianShaw23 BB was a horse who was worthless off the juice. Everyone knows AA would kick the shit out of him at a mile and a half. Even a mile and a quarter. AA's time in this race was more a product of the pace than anything. His last quarter only had one faster than him; Big Red.

[@Kostly]

@BrianShaw23 You're either insane or extremely misinformed. Big Brown was pulled up in the Belmont because he was running like a garbage can. Cuz he didn't have the juice. Afleet Alex would RUIN Big Brown at a mile and a half. Alex was a TRUE great. Big Brown was only good on the juice.

[@gocanes101]

you can see Jeremy Rose learned not to move Alex too soon like in the Derby but in fairness 20 horse fields are tough. 24 flat for the final quarter @ Belmont is no easy feat, and that after giving the up front horse a slow pace too boot. Best Horse since Secretariat

[@nvrlose37]

You just dont go away do you? I do know something about horse racing I just didnt know Rose said he was at fault. I dont believe he can really blame himself though for the derby because it was a packed field and he really never had running room like he had in the arkansas preakness and belmont.

[@adrianashilling2573]

You go Alex! You are the man!

[@tjjlm444]

jeremy rose should have never been on a horse like this the same way stewart elliot shouldnt have been on smarty jones.you dont put 2nd rate jockeys on 1st rate horses like those.that is like putting a ford escort motor in a ferari.

[@Kostly]

A flat out ROMP. There are not many performances that measure up to this one here. I mean. Really. This is 1.5 miles. So don't bring this 1 and 1/8 bullshit or whatever. Afleet Alex did it at every length. 6 furlongs to 12 furlongs. A flat out BEAST.

[@Kostly]

@Webuiltthepyramids It would just be so much easier if he had gone on with his career. I think those stress fractures were a result of his near fall at the Preakness. But, had he been able to go on, I think he could have been undefeated from there on out.

[@jays71276]

@datduck11 Take nothing away from Alex, who had as spectacular a kick turning for home as any horse I've seen, but the best horse to never win the Triple Crown is either Native Dancer or Spectacular Bid and it's really not even close.

[@nvrlose37]

don't blame Jeremy rose too much. Spanish Chestnut ran one of the fastest first half miles in Derby history and thats why all the favorites died. Plus it was a packed field and he just didn't have it that day. A shame really, he was the best chance to win

[@Kostly]

He took the lead and faltered with a pole to go. He just pulled up at the end. If Rose would have gotten the better ride I think Alex would have exploded going away. It is how he did his thing. I think Zenyatta and Alfeet Alex should make babies.

[@gobabygirlzen]

@Kostly When I checked into it a little more I agree that they may be too closely linked - damn!!! Now I'm excited at the mere thought of AA and Rachel Alexandra - sadly it remains only a thought. Maybe Zenny and City Zip?

[@Kostly]

What a racehorse. What a sire. Get him with Zenyatta first thing after she retires. A SHARP staminized horse and a broodmare with BEASTLY size and a brutal finishing kick. Something VERY good will come from that.

[@Kostly]

Well, plucky IS a great adjective to describe Alex. From the moment he was born he had to overcome adverse conditions. Then he showed everyone how "plucky" he was in the preakness. Look up the definition and you might agree.

[@PlaYah1979]

@MissStarryDay Im with you 100%...There is no doubt Afleet Alex is a super horse!! But he's not the best since the mighty Secretariat....What about horses like Affirmed,Alydar,Seattle Slew, Curlin,Cigar

[@jesusthroughmary]

I personally would take a horse that won the Belmont over a horse like Sunday Silence that got whupped in the test of champions. But Spectacular Bid is a different story, and Real Quiet....