War Emblem vs. the 70s Triple Crown Winners

[Secretariat]

The 70's produced 3 Tripple Crown winners, Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), and Affirmed (1978). After 24 years, War Emblem attempts to become the 12th Triple Crown Champion or the 18th horse to win 2 of the three jewels (two horses did not run in the Belmont).

War Emblem, a dark bay (almost black) colt, was born in Kentucky and is generally a Front Runner. His performanced in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness are as follows:

Kentucky Derby - 2:01 won by 4 lengths
Preakness - 1:56 1/5 won by 3/4 of a length

Secretariat (1970-1989), a chestnut colt, was born in Virginia and was a front runner or pace stalker. His performances in the three races were:

Kentucky Derby - 1:59 2/5 (record) won by 2 1/2 lengths
Preakness - 1:54 2/5 (record disputed) won by 2 1/2 lengths
Belmont - 2:24 (world record) 31 lengths

Seattle Slew (1974-2002), a dark bay colt, was born in Kentucky and was a front runner. He is the only horse bought at public auction to win the Triple Crown. His performances in the three races rate:

Kentucky Derby - 2:02 1/5 won by 1 3/4 lengths
Preakness - 1:54 2/5 won by 1 1/2 lengths
Belmont - 2:29 3/5 won by 4 lengths

Affirmed (1975-2001), a chestnut colt, was born in Florida and was an early leader stalker. His jockey, Steve Cauthen) was the youngest jockey to win the Triple Crown and the first jockey to earn more than $6 million in a single year. His performances in the three races:

Kentucky Derby - 2:01 1/5 won by 1 1/2 lengths
Preakness - 1:54 2/5 won by a neck
Belmont - 2:26 4/5 won by a head

Statistically speaking War Emblem ranks fourth of all three in all races but the Derby where he finished second. He faces 10 other horses in the Belmont on Saturday, some which are certainly contenders. The only real question besides "Will he get a clean trip?" is, can he use his front running style for the entire mile and a half without falling into the trap of following the speed horses.

At least some attention is getting paid to the Sport of Kings that has faded from glory in the past years because of the lack of a "fairy tale" horse like War Emblem.

[brink]

I'd like to see him win it for the sake of breaking the cold spell. 24 years is a long time. But from a betting standpoint, all the money flowing in on WAR should make for some value on other horses.

[Blowfish]

Well congratulations to all those with money on Sarava. No shot. Doesn't look like he had what it would have taken had he not stumbled at the gate.

[Jeff]

It's a shame he stumbled. You'd like to at least see the horse have a shot at it with no obstacles to overcome, but that's horse racing I guess......

[Secretariat]

Coming from the 10 slot and almost going to his knees was just too much to overcome in a field that size. To keep with his usual running style he had to use too much too early to get in a good position by the first turn. He was then boxed momentarily causing his jockey to have to pull him up a bit and assess whether to head to the outside or try to find a hole on the inside. He still had more to give, but he used it when taking the lead briefly at the end of the backstretch. He showed heart, I'm sure he pulled a lot of muscles in that break. He's a great horse, maybe he can redeem himself in the Breeder's Cup Classic.