I am with Canada even if I can’t really watch the game :(
Have to focus not on work. But I’ll be back for other games once my teaching is done this week.
I tried changing my nym for the futbol and now I am in moderation. Grrr.
Come on Canada
8.
SRW1
Very leggy the Chinese defense. Three shots on goal blocked within five seconds.
9.
raven
Oh, you meant between THESE two. The gold medal women’s game in the 96 Olympics was the only game played here in Athens that I didn’t see. I gave my ticket to one of my wife’s friends so they could go.
10.
Doug R
Canadian girls kick ass-that’s what the t shirt says.
11.
SRW1
When the Canadian players communicate among themselves, do they subsequently have to repeat what they originally said in English in French and vice versa?
Between the Beau Biden funeral and a Triple Crown winner, this has been one hella emotional day.
16.
JPL
@raven: I didn’t think another horse would win the triple crown.
17.
? Martin
Gotta back the home team here.
Would also like to remind everyone that the reason US women dominate pretty much all team sports is Title IX. Go US exceptionalism! Go big government regulation!
18.
the Conster
So glad to see another Triple Crown winner in my lifetime. If it takes another 38 years, it will be my last one.
Also too, I have to say I’m impressed with the Wikipedia folks. Under their list of Triple Crown winners, they already have American Pharaoh up along with all the stats.
It’s an area where the U.S. seems to be a world leader.
Congrats to the American Pharaoh team.
23.
Keith P.
For me, the most memorable horse race will be the KDerby where there were two horses that were supposed to represent Obama (Big Brown?) and HRC (someone else). And Obama’s horse won the race while HRC’s had to be euthanized on the track, to the horror of onlookers. Like an episode of the Simpsons…
@Keith P.: Eight Belles. Gah, that was awful. Horsey friend blamed it, and a lot of other equine breakdowns over the years, on the breeders.
Been listening to said horsey friend dissect today’s race while waiting for the announcers to do their analysis. She says to watch the angles of the horses’ heads just before American Pharoah breaks away from the pack. That’s when and how she knew he was going to win it.
134th Kentucky Derby
On May 3, 2008, in his fourth race, the 2008 Kentucky Derby, Big Brown was the 2–1 favorite. He became the first horse since 1929 to win the race from the 20th starting gate,[11] winning by 4 3⁄4 lengths over filly Eight Belles, who was euthanised after breaking both front fetlocks during the post-race cool-down.[12]
Until this year, I pretty much stopped watching horse races after that.
29.
Yatsuno
I’m in a hospital room with CaseyL. You’re not. Be jealous. And Mike J GETCHER BUTT OVER HERE!!!
I can still see Secretariat floating like silk across the finish line. It’s nice to see American Pharaoh winning the Triple Crown, but nothing will ever top Secretariat’s run.
31.
Culture of Truth
American Pharoah!!
Also, Abercrombie & Fitch oral arguments currently on C-SPAN.
32.
Culture of Truth
I’ve been so skeptical, but I did predict he would do it. Big horse, big stride. BAM!
33.
PsiFighter37
As a general sports fan, it’s great to see a Triple Crown winner (which, given how many failed ones I have seen over the past 15-20 years, thought would never happen), but given what the whole horse-racing industry is – forced breeding, and a helping of steroids and other PED for horses – it’s hard to get riled up.
I know, you can make analogies about what we eat, how professional sports athletes that are actually human beings are treated, etc., but horse racing really seems more like gambling on live animals instead of at a slot machine.
34.
shell
@Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism: That’s why I hate watching these horse races. So many of these horses are so inbred, serious breaks and other injuries are almost a matter of course.
35.
? Martin
Wow. What an opportunity.
36.
? Martin
O Canada!
37.
PurpleGirl
Calling commenter Nicole, calling Nicole: Were you able to get the race track for the Belmont Stakes today?
38.
Doug R
gorgeous goal by Burnaby native Christine Sinclair
39.
Linnaeus
Lots of defensive breakdowns in this game – both Tampa and Chicago are getting rushes and near breakaways.
And Obama’s horse won the race while HRC’s had to be euthanized on the track, to the horror of onlookers.
And Hilary had told people at her rally that morning to “bet on the filly ”
Got out to the sailboat this morning, It’s moored out on a ball. Climbed on board, it was covered in fish carcases. The opposite of fish guts. Bald eagles sat on the boat and ate the guts out of dozens of fish, leaving the husks behind. Ugh.
41.
Linnaeus
Fun fact: Secretariat would have beaten American Pharoah by 15 lengths.
I have a fondness for Seattle Slew because that’s the first Triple Crown I remember.
44.
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
Winning the Belmont going away is no mean feat. Secretariat was truly the outlier – a freak. But this bay colt is something really special. The Zayats sold most of the breeding rights earlier in the week to Coolmore (reported $20M) and kept the full racing rights.
He could run again, though that seems foolish. He was 2 year old champion despite a season shortened by an injury, and now he’s a Triple Crown winner.
45.
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@Linnaeus: So American Pharoah would have beaten Secretariat’s competition by 16 lengths?
46.
Culture of Truth
Arguably the toughest teams in this group. Who do you like?
Qatar
47.
Royston Vasey
New Zealand vs Netherlands now under way
Go the Kiwis!
RV in NZ
48.
Calliope Jane
@SiubhanDuinne: Raises hand. It hasn’t- hah, HADN’T- happened in my lifetime.
I’ve wanted to see a horse win the Triple Crown so badly. Since I was a kid, I’ve been both amazed (“what was it like?!”) and, well, bitter (“you had *three* between 1973 and 1978?!?!).
Incredible horse. When he won the Preakness from the post position on a sloppy track, I had a feeling he could really do this. And leading wire to wire today, watching as he still had another gear to give while the challengers were going flat out? Incredible.
If you don’t discriminate by species, Secretariat’s Belmont run might have been the greatest athletic feat ever. Crushed the field, crushed the record time that nobody else has ever come remotely close to, wasn’t even breathing hard at the finish.
51.
CaseyL
When I went to visit Yatsuno in the hospital, practically the first words he said was, “We have a Triple Crown winner.”
I’m a lifelong racing fan, but I’ve been afraid to watch them live since seeing Barbaro break down in the Preakness. So I watched today’s race when I got home. Gorgeous run, in front the whole way, and I’m very happy for his jockey, too!
raven
Merica
JPL
Well, I’m going to watch a horse race.
Origuy
Just tuned in. Canada’s ahead on possessions and they’re playing at home. Shame they have to play on rugs.
Valdivia (The Terrible)
I am with Canada even if I can’t really watch the game :(
Have to focus not on work. But I’ll be back for other games once my teaching is done this week.
SRW1
Double rimshot.
Yatsuno
O CANADA!!!
Valdivia
I tried changing my nym for the futbol and now I am in moderation. Grrr.
Come on Canada
SRW1
Very leggy the Chinese defense. Three shots on goal blocked within five seconds.
raven
Oh, you meant between THESE two. The gold medal women’s game in the 96 Olympics was the only game played here in Athens that I didn’t see. I gave my ticket to one of my wife’s friends so they could go.
Doug R
Canadian girls kick ass-that’s what the t shirt says.
SRW1
When the Canadian players communicate among themselves, do they subsequently have to repeat what they originally said in English in French and vice versa?
raven
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
SiubhanDuinne
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!
raven
Holy Shit!!!American Pharaoh !!!
SiubhanDuinne
Between the Beau Biden funeral and a Triple Crown winner, this has been one hella emotional day.
JPL
@raven: I didn’t think another horse would win the triple crown.
? Martin
Gotta back the home team here.
Would also like to remind everyone that the reason US women dominate pretty much all team sports is Title IX. Go US exceptionalism! Go big government regulation!
the Conster
So glad to see another Triple Crown winner in my lifetime. If it takes another 38 years, it will be my last one.
SiubhanDuinne
@JPL:
It’s been, what, 37 years? There are an awful lot of people alive today who weren’t even alive when Affirmed won.
raven
@JPL: And the trainer has a son named Bodi!
American Pharaoh
SiubhanDuinne
Also too, I have to say I’m impressed with the Wikipedia folks. Under their list of Triple Crown winners, they already have American Pharaoh up along with all the stats.
Baud
@? Martin:
It’s an area where the U.S. seems to be a world leader.
Congrats to the American Pharaoh team.
Keith P.
For me, the most memorable horse race will be the KDerby where there were two horses that were supposed to represent Obama (Big Brown?) and HRC (someone else). And Obama’s horse won the race while HRC’s had to be euthanized on the track, to the horror of onlookers. Like an episode of the Simpsons…
Baud
@Keith P.:
This is the first I’ve heard of that story.
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@Keith P.: Eight Belles. Gah, that was awful. Horsey friend blamed it, and a lot of other equine breakdowns over the years, on the breeders.
Been listening to said horsey friend dissect today’s race while waiting for the announcers to do their analysis. She says to watch the angles of the horses’ heads just before American Pharoah breaks away from the pack. That’s when and how she knew he was going to win it.
rikyrah
can’t believe we have another Triple Crown winner
yeah!
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@Baud: The filly, Eight Belles, came in second and collapsed. She broke both her front legs at the fetlock, compound fractures.
*moment of silence*
But dayum, American Pharoah! 5 1/2 lengths!
SiubhanDuinne
@Baud:
Quite true.
Until this year, I pretty much stopped watching horse races after that.
Yatsuno
I’m in a hospital room with CaseyL. You’re not. Be jealous. And Mike J GETCHER BUTT OVER HERE!!!
debbie
@SiubhanDuinne:
I can still see Secretariat floating like silk across the finish line. It’s nice to see American Pharaoh winning the Triple Crown, but nothing will ever top Secretariat’s run.
Culture of Truth
American Pharoah!!
Also, Abercrombie & Fitch oral arguments currently on C-SPAN.
Culture of Truth
I’ve been so skeptical, but I did predict he would do it. Big horse, big stride. BAM!
PsiFighter37
As a general sports fan, it’s great to see a Triple Crown winner (which, given how many failed ones I have seen over the past 15-20 years, thought would never happen), but given what the whole horse-racing industry is – forced breeding, and a helping of steroids and other PED for horses – it’s hard to get riled up.
I know, you can make analogies about what we eat, how professional sports athletes that are actually human beings are treated, etc., but horse racing really seems more like gambling on live animals instead of at a slot machine.
shell
@Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism: That’s why I hate watching these horse races. So many of these horses are so inbred, serious breaks and other injuries are almost a matter of course.
? Martin
Wow. What an opportunity.
? Martin
O Canada!
PurpleGirl
Calling commenter Nicole, calling Nicole: Were you able to get the race track for the Belmont Stakes today?
Doug R
gorgeous goal by Burnaby native Christine Sinclair
Linnaeus
Lots of defensive breakdowns in this game – both Tampa and Chicago are getting rushes and near breakaways.
Mike J
@Keith P.:
And Hilary had told people at her rally that morning to “bet on the filly ”
Got out to the sailboat this morning, It’s moored out on a ball. Climbed on board, it was covered in fish carcases. The opposite of fish guts. Bald eagles sat on the boat and ate the guts out of dozens of fish, leaving the husks behind. Ugh.
Linnaeus
Fun fact: Secretariat would have beaten American Pharoah by 15 lengths.
SiubhanDuinne
@debbie:
Agreed. There’s really never been a horse like him. He is worshipped almost as a god in Lexington, and rightly so.
Linnaeus
@SiubhanDuinne:
I have a fondness for Seattle Slew because that’s the first Triple Crown I remember.
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
Winning the Belmont going away is no mean feat. Secretariat was truly the outlier – a freak. But this bay colt is something really special. The Zayats sold most of the breeding rights earlier in the week to Coolmore (reported $20M) and kept the full racing rights.
He could run again, though that seems foolish. He was 2 year old champion despite a season shortened by an injury, and now he’s a Triple Crown winner.
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@Linnaeus: So American Pharoah would have beaten Secretariat’s competition by 16 lengths?
Culture of Truth
Qatar
Royston Vasey
New Zealand vs Netherlands now under way
Go the Kiwis!
RV in NZ
Calliope Jane
@SiubhanDuinne: Raises hand. It hasn’t- hah, HADN’T- happened in my lifetime.
I’ve wanted to see a horse win the Triple Crown so badly. Since I was a kid, I’ve been both amazed (“what was it like?!”) and, well, bitter (“you had *three* between 1973 and 1978?!?!).
Incredible horse. When he won the Preakness from the post position on a sloppy track, I had a feeling he could really do this. And leading wire to wire today, watching as he still had another gear to give while the challengers were going flat out? Incredible.
Linnaeus
@Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism:
Yes. Didn’t say he wasn’t impressive.
Heliopause
@Linnaeus:
If you don’t discriminate by species, Secretariat’s Belmont run might have been the greatest athletic feat ever. Crushed the field, crushed the record time that nobody else has ever come remotely close to, wasn’t even breathing hard at the finish.
CaseyL
When I went to visit Yatsuno in the hospital, practically the first words he said was, “We have a Triple Crown winner.”
I’m a lifelong racing fan, but I’ve been afraid to watch them live since seeing Barbaro break down in the Preakness. So I watched today’s race when I got home. Gorgeous run, in front the whole way, and I’m very happy for his jockey, too!
@debbie: @SiubhanDuinne:
I’m with you on that. I still cry when I watch the videos of Secretariat winning the Derby, Preakness and Belmont.