Espinoza held him until final turn and didn't let him hit his stride, only popping him with the whip once (that I saw). Even in his managed disposition, other horses were full out just to keep pace. Reports he knew he had the race going into first turn. Time is not a factor, as jockey manages each race accordingly and AP might have beaten all records since inception, if he was not held back through 3.
Top 10 easy, heard artificial insemination was more than a mill - whether it takes or not. Helluva horse and likely won't see another in same class for a long, long time.
This post alludes there are doubters? Really, c'mon man. Major props deserving here and exciting. Those that turn up nose are sitting on a tuffett.
I admit, had my doubts; but they got squashed like a bug after he toyed with the field at the 'mont.