Belmont Stakes controversy

Mike Respole co-owner of 4th place finisher Vino Rosso and last place finisher Noble Indy hopes the stewards question jockey Geroux about his handling of Restoring Hope. Gary West who owns Restoring Hope was livid about the handling of his horse. Geroux was like an offensive lineman blocking for a running back it was stated.  He blocked all those who wanted to get closer to the pace and made the field go wide. Javier Castellano was given crystal clear instructions make the lead. Those of us that having been following horse racing for years felt that the race looked fishy just by the way Justify galloped through easy fractions with no challengers.  Justify is a good horse in a weak crop of three year olds.  He's not an elite horse and shouldn't be remembered as such.

Omg fellas-- trainers enter multiple horses in many races and try to use that to an advantage. You all are looking at the wrong trainer. Pletcher had two in here and wanted Noble Indy (my pick for the price play btw and I lost hundreds on it) to get lead or press Justify hard to set up Vino Russo if the pace got hot and they faded. Noble broke a little slow and instead of rushing him and using him early Castellano backed of for the soft stalking trip which is a good trip if Noble has a chance but Noble was terrible. Noble just wasn't good enough. So Pletchers camp didn't execute their gameplan and they got pissed. If he did break better and Noble and Justify ended up burning themselves out and Vino Russo won then everyone is whining Pletcher.   This is a non story. Restoring Hope was rank and Florent wanted to stalk with him also as that was his best chance to win and he got out some then stalked like every other horse in every other race. Then he faded. I truly see nothing here at all and think all this whining and downplaying Justify as an amazing horse is crazy. He just won the dang triple crown and two of the races were in horrible conditions which he isn't even at his best. You saw Saturday the horse could have gone around again and won without being asked.

I agree David...Restoring Hope's running style is close to the pace & that's what Geroux did. Bravazo got stuck down on the rail but never made a move to challenge Justify. Nobody was going to beat him Saturday.

I called him a four legged assassin before the race & believe it even more after the race.  

It will all be swept under the rug.