A crying shame he had to be retired. This colt had some serious afterburners. Who knows what he could have accomplished as a 4YO? We can only dream....
Look at that devastating turn of foot. I was expecting that in the Kentucky Derby. Though he put in a very good effort it was not to be. Pace had a lot to do with that. He was a close third behind a 50-1 shot,and a 70-1 shot(I believe). Alex was very close to the T.C. But once again that shows it is not easy to do. This race looked like his Belmont score. Uncork him at the 1/4 pole,and he says bye bye boys! Beautiful to watch!!
i completely agree with you. this race is very much like the Belmont race. Afleet Alex's kick at the Belmont is something i've never seen before in my life. it's absolutely amazing.
@BE109 Yeah I would put this right behind that belmont romp. This horse was a small compact horse. He was good....REAL good rating horse and his stretch runs probably have only been matched by a very small group of horses throughout history. But, he required a good ride and he just did not get a good ride in the Derby. I think most of that fault lies with Jeremy Rose. Even he said as much. Though he didn't win the race he is cleary a top 20 if not top 10 horse all time.
I'm getting pumped for the BC and started reviewing some favorite races. This masterpiece came to mind. Afleet Alex had one of the most explosive final kicks I have ever seen. The only similarities that I think do him justice are Arazi in the 91 BC Juvy and Borrego in the 05 JCGC.
Its such a shame he didnt get a better trip in the 05 Derby or else we would have seen a Triple Crown winner for sure. Alex is truly underrated.
His life story is pretty awesome, to say the least. I mean, even part of the inspiration (the little girl alex and her lemonade stand)of his name is just part of a much larger, incredible story. Just all of the elements in his life that created him and his psychology, are amazing. A young colt whose mother couldn't nurse him, overcoming a lung infection and I believe he's the one who bashed his head at the gate. And considering the totally dominant fashion in which he won the preak and bel.
On July 27, 2003, Trainer John Servis was schooling Smarty at the starting gate, when the animal spooked, reared up, and smashed his head on the top of the gate. He fell to the ground unconscious, blood pouring from his nostrils. Servis thought the horse was dead, but the animal regained consciousness and was treated by Dr. Dan Hanf who stopped the hemorrhaging and treated him for shock. Read more about it at Wikipedia.
stivo, I agree with you that Alex was awesome and that he isn't a top 10 horse of all time, but I strongly disagree that a horse has to run as a 4YO to be considered great. To make that claim would unfairly disqualify many greats as they stand now, such as Secretariat, Man o' War, Majestic Prince, etc. If they would have run as 4YO's, I'm very positive that they would have been incredible weight carriers and even faster with their fully mature bodies. Records surely would have fallen.
Never seen a closing kick like this little horse had. He's all heart and guts and sheer speed. My little man!!!
gobabygirlzen 7 months ago
His closing speed just makes other horses look stupid
jgp1322 1 year ago
@jgp1322 LOL I totally agree.
This horse should have been the 2005 Triple Crown winner. But alas, bad luck plagued him the Kentucky Derby.
FireGirlG 11 months ago
Most underrated horse in history. My hero. xoxoxoxo
afleetalex05 1 year ago
@afleetalex05 Couldn't agree more. Total star he was.
schardy80 1 year ago
I think that Alex was one of the best racehorses, I think that many people under-rated him.
jeremyrosefan 1 year ago
He had to be born with turbofans or something like that! Amazing!
westxlcr 2 years ago
A crying shame he had to be retired. This colt had some serious afterburners. Who knows what he could have accomplished as a 4YO? We can only dream....
all66books 2 years ago
Look at that devastating turn of foot. I was expecting that in the Kentucky Derby. Though he put in a very good effort it was not to be. Pace had a lot to do with that. He was a close third behind a 50-1 shot,and a 70-1 shot(I believe). Alex was very close to the T.C. But once again that shows it is not easy to do. This race looked like his Belmont score. Uncork him at the 1/4 pole,and he says bye bye boys! Beautiful to watch!!
BE109 3 years ago
i completely agree with you. this race is very much like the Belmont race. Afleet Alex's kick at the Belmont is something i've never seen before in my life. it's absolutely amazing.
Keeheek 2 years ago
@BE109 Yeah I would put this right behind that belmont romp. This horse was a small compact horse. He was good....REAL good rating horse and his stretch runs probably have only been matched by a very small group of horses throughout history. But, he required a good ride and he just did not get a good ride in the Derby. I think most of that fault lies with Jeremy Rose. Even he said as much. Though he didn't win the race he is cleary a top 20 if not top 10 horse all time.
Kostly 1 year ago
Hey cf.. long time, no talk. Hope all is well.
I'm getting pumped for the BC and started reviewing some favorite races. This masterpiece came to mind. Afleet Alex had one of the most explosive final kicks I have ever seen. The only similarities that I think do him justice are Arazi in the 91 BC Juvy and Borrego in the 05 JCGC.
Its such a shame he didnt get a better trip in the 05 Derby or else we would have seen a Triple Crown winner for sure. Alex is truly underrated.
tatomka 3 years ago
afleet alex was the definition of pushbutton acceleration
skyboy93 3 years ago
Arkansas Derby winners have been quite successful in recent triple crown races. Not only Alex, but Smarty Jones & Curlin have been amazing!
pellebravesskylar 4 years ago
Afleet Alex may be one of the quickest closer in horse racing history
Rodney81818 4 years ago 2
top 10 horse of all time.
Kostly 4 years ago
No Way, but he was awesome. You need to run as a 4YO to be great imho.
stivo1975 3 years ago
His life story is pretty awesome, to say the least. I mean, even part of the inspiration (the little girl alex and her lemonade stand)of his name is just part of a much larger, incredible story. Just all of the elements in his life that created him and his psychology, are amazing. A young colt whose mother couldn't nurse him, overcoming a lung infection and I believe he's the one who bashed his head at the gate. And considering the totally dominant fashion in which he won the preak and bel.
Kostly 3 years ago
Fascinating information about Alex; I never knew that about him. I'm going to have to read up on him. Thank you for sharing it.
Smarty Jones was the horse that reared up bashed his head into the gate. Continued...
cf1970 3 years ago
On July 27, 2003, Trainer John Servis was schooling Smarty at the starting gate, when the animal spooked, reared up, and smashed his head on the top of the gate. He fell to the ground unconscious, blood pouring from his nostrils. Servis thought the horse was dead, but the animal regained consciousness and was treated by Dr. Dan Hanf who stopped the hemorrhaging and treated him for shock. Read more about it at Wikipedia.
Thank God he didn't die that day.
Have a great week!
cf1970 3 years ago
stivo, I agree with you that Alex was awesome and that he isn't a top 10 horse of all time, but I strongly disagree that a horse has to run as a 4YO to be considered great. To make that claim would unfairly disqualify many greats as they stand now, such as Secretariat, Man o' War, Majestic Prince, etc. If they would have run as 4YO's, I'm very positive that they would have been incredible weight carriers and even faster with their fully mature bodies. Records surely would have fallen.
Take care.
cf1970 3 years ago
That was a tremendous performance he put up. It is a damn shame he missed the triple crown by a lousy length or so. He was a incredible race horse.
BE109 4 years ago