Belmont Stakes Day entries tomorrow

[Pointg5]

Can't wait, taking Friday off, I'll print off the Form and Sheets tomorrow night and do the prep work on TH and go over all day Friday.

[miraja2]

For the Belmont, with the race being 12 furlongs, do you guys see ANY scenario in which post positions might be important?

Originally Posted by miraja2

For the Belmont, with the race being 12 furlongs, do you guys see ANY scenario in which post positions might be important?

Yes I do Miraja. IN this Belmont the horses are very equally matched, regardless of what you may read. There are no clear cut dominant horses and I expect the stretch run to be a bit more stirring this year. Perhaps as many as 4-5 horses may be in contention with a chance turning for home. Ground lost on turns could make all the difference in this renewal of the Belmont Stakes. A length or two on the first turn may be the difference between winning and 4th place. There is real lack of speed in this running, and a horse with moderate speed who draws inside may find himself near the lead or stalking, the same horse could draw the 12 hole and be forced to expend energy early to get to the same position he could just naturally fall into if he drew inside.
I'm not really ready to make any predictions until the pp's are drawn. They WILL come into play this year, and I would want to see the horse I am keying to hit the board in the trifectas draw an inside post, from 6 in.

Originally Posted by miraja2

For the Belmont, with the race being 12 furlongs, do you guys see ANY scenario in which post positions might be important?

Have to disagree with Oracle, I just don't see how post position plays a role in a 12F race with less than 12 horses. Looks like only one horse wants to be on the lead, the others will just settle for mid pack or way back.

I wouldn't listen to me though when it comes to picking winners.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by boldruler

Have to disagree with Oracle, I just don't see how post position plays a role in a 12F race with less than 12 horses. Looks like only one horse wants to be on the lead, the others will just settle for mid pack or way back.

I wouldn't listen to me though when it comes to picking winners.

That is the way I saw it too. I see Oracle's point though, maybe if a stalker (which seems to describe most of the horses in this race) draws post 11 or 12 he might get hung wide on the 1st turn. I don't think it will make a BIG difference, but I think it will be a close race and maybe a little difference will make THE difference.

Originally Posted by miraja2

That is the way I saw it too. I see Oracle's point though, maybe if a stalker (which seems to describe most of the horses in this race) draws post 11 or 12 he might get hung wide on the 1st turn. I don't think it will make a BIG difference, but I think it will be a close race and maybe a little difference will make THE difference.

Thats my point. Lots of stalkers and since the pace won't be fast its likely that outside horses will be screwed on the first turn. The run to the first turn isn't even as far teh run to first turn in the Derby, not even close. Belmont is a mile and a half oval, so the run to the first turn isnt like the one at CD. Without speed, in a big field, if you draw outside things arent going to be easy.

[whorstman]

Originally Posted by oracle80

Thats my point. Lots of stalkers and since the pace won't be fast its likely that outside horses will be screwed on the first turn. The run to the first turn isn't even as far teh run to first turn in the Derby, not even close. Belmont is a mile and a half oval, so the run to the first turn isnt like the one at CD. Without speed, in a big field, if you draw outside things arent going to be easy.

Hopefully that will help narrow down things a bit then. I just want to box 4-5 in a $1 tri and just go from there.