Wrapping things up

I posted on Twitter Sunday that I thought Rachel Alexandra would have won the Triple Crown this year.

I know that's easy (and cliche) to say considering she only ran in one of the three races, but she was just better than the horses who ended up contesting the series (I choose those words carefully since either I Want Revenge or Quality Road would have been a force this year).

Of course, being better is no guarantee of success either. Point Given and Afleet Alex were clearly better than their Triple Crown foes, but neither could sweep the series. Smarty Jones was probably the best this decade based on how fast his races were and who he had to face. Based on figures, Smarty Jones would have won any of the last three editions of the Belmont by open lengths (including the Curlin-Rags to Riches showdown), but he wasn't in those races, so c'est la vie.

Other thoughts:

• If Mine That Bird had won the Belmont, then it would be interesting to talk about how Jess Jackson had likely changed the course of Thoroughbred history by buying Rachel Alexandra and winning the Preakness Stakes with her.

• Kudos to NYRA for putting together a wonderful supporting card for the Belmont Stakes. Setting a record for wagering in a non Triple Crown year is no small potatoes given the economy and how far down other segments of the gaming industry are in terms of wagering.

• A shoutout to Thoroughbred Times senior staff writer Frank Angst who not only tabbed Summer Bird on top in the Belmont at 11-to-1 but also made Gabby's Golden Gal at 13-to-1 in the Acorn Stakes his best bet of the day. That's good 'cappin'!

• I had planned to write about Forever Together following a win in the Just a Game, but she got beat by Diamondrella (another Frank pick!) fair and square. Going into this year I really thought Acoma and Forever Together would be huge forces in the older female division, but Acoma got the doors blown off her in the Apple Blossom, though it was nice to see her come back and win the Mint Julep. It's still early, I guess.

• One of my favorite parts of the Triple Crown being over is the after hours steinhoist my colleagues attend to toast the end of another successful season of covering the race. This year's throwdown goes down at Drakes, which is owned by the same people who do Malone's, Harry's, and Sal's.