Belmont Winner

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

I dunno -- that's kind of harsh on both accounts...especially with Bodemeister considering he has a big edge on the rest of the 3yo crop and he fits very well with the older horses.

Shackleford will be a huge thorn in Bode's side though -- if he goes Classic instead of Dirt Mile.

See any optimism for Fed Biz?

Numbers aside (I know, pretty presumptive), both horses have conveniently lossed all their big dances. Bodemeister's one important win was at Oaklawn, where Baffert can win with even a horse like Castaway. Paynter failed in the lowly Derby Trial (albeit on an off-track). He probably should have won the Belmont by open lengths with the setup he got. He's Commendable to Bodemeister's High Yield.

Also a factor is the lack of 2yo racing coupled with aggressive campaigns this spring as 3yos. The accumulated wear-and-tear could blunt their future prospects. It would be huge if they both had the intestinal fortitude of Congaree, but even he went off form at 3 and 4. And unlike him, both colts have "stallion" pedigrees, so any bump in the road would give convenient cause to retire them to stud.

Fed Biz (2013):
1st Allowance
1st Santana Mile
1st Oaklawn Hcp
1st Californian
4th Hollywood Gold Cup
7th Pacific Classic
retired