This is highly unlikely, and considering Hard Spun has never been " covered up ", I'm not sure where that comes from. In all likelihood he needs to be in the clear, as he was in the Preakness and Lane's End, if he is to rate with any success. I may be wrong but I don't recall him eating any dirt in his previous races.

Sumwonlovesyou has a better chance of breaking on top in the Belmont than Digger does. I don't know if this horse can even beat Imawildandcrazyguy or Circular Quay to the six furlong mark. Slew's Tizzy is going to be way more of a nuisance to Hard Spun than Digger will be. At least Digger saves Slew's Tizzy the embarassment of a last place finish.

On a side note...anyone have any gossip about which Pletcher runner shows up?

No gossip, I believe Rags and Circular Quay work tomorrow and then there should be an announcement Monday. I'll be shocked if neither goes and equally shocked if both go.

Rags actually has a chance anyway.

I'm one of the biggest Circular Quay haters on the planet but think he may actually have a shot at 12 furlongs. If Curlin runs even close to his best and doesn't make an early move he wins. If not I think Tiago and CQ are the most likely to ration their speed into 24-25 second quarters the whole way which has been the formula to win the Belmont.

Circular Quay's best chance would be two six furlong heats. He wants a mile and a half about as much as King of the Roxy does.

I can see where you are coming from but I disagree. For what it is worth (nothing) he did pass everyone on the runout after the Preakness. That doesn't seem like a tired horse to me. Just a slow horse that needs 12 furlongs before the rest of the field comes back to him.

Now THAT's old skool. Like 1780 old school.

Dutrow would have entries for that event.

If CQ wins the Belmont I will strip down to my boxers and attempt to join Pletcher in the win photo! :p

How about just attempting to join Asmussen in the win photo if he runs second?

Even better, how about campaigning for the mount on Digger if CQ even runs?

Angel already turned them down. Go for it.

I think we've seen Circular Quay's last race.

If he doesn't go in the Belmont then they might as well. He is way too slow to sprint and will never see another pace setup like the pissing match speed duel in the Hopeful.

Have you heard that somewhere or is it speculation? I'm wondering because that is a bit of a common opinion.

NT

This entire situation is getting preposterous. I am not at all referring to Digger running and Street Sense not running. With the exception of this BB, I see people indicting, condemning and ripping apart Tafel -- he is ruining the business, he is not a sportsman, and the like. I also see people justifying running Digger and making the owner out to be the "true" sportsman.

The complete lack of class, the naiveté, and the out and out BS never ceases to amaze me.

Eric

Program Changes:
"Digger, 49 pounds over"

I can't imagine that Circular Quay would be unable to EVER find another fast-paced sprint race where the half goes in 44 and change and the front-runners start coming back to him.

NT

44 and change for 2yos in August at 7 furlongs at Saratoga is pretty suicidal. If they'll let him run against 2yos again then he might have a shot.