Early thoughts on Belmont Saturday Card
 

It may be a bit early for some, but since I've been perusing the TG sheets, I'll throw out some early thoughts, very much subject to change.

First, a question. Why is Dove Houghton listed as trainer on all of Tony Dutrow's horses?

Race 2: Pletcher's Prom Party seems to be sitting on a BIG race.. and how this one runs may be very important to the entire day.

Race 5: 2 stand out to me, Shug's Criminologist, and Clement's Meribel.

Race 6: Bordonaro looks very strong, I like Joey P to hit the board at a price.

Race 7: Seems very evenly matched, which makes it tough to go with the favorite, Pletcher's Wait a While.

Race 8: This is my longshot special (for now), and you may think I'm crazy, but I like Hobbitontherocks.. figs are competitive, definitely was not hard used in last (other than swerving all over the track top of the stretch), should be pace to run at.. Sportstown's last makes him the fastest coming in.

Race 9: Dream Rush's last was head and shoulders better than any of these have ever run. Shug's Boca Grande should be set for a new top.

Race 10: Obviously, the question is what to do with English Channel (Kev?).. as the highweight, and off his 2 races this year, can't key him as probable favorite. Cosmonaut looks very solid, and don't leave out Steppenwolfer.. the trip he got in his last (1st turf) has been well documented here.

Race 11: Otherwise known as the Belmont Stakes...if Curlin doesn't back up here, he never will. Hard Spun, who I haven't liked in the Derby or Preakness, may be the choice in this.

Race 12: Does anybody care? another evenly matched field, Heavenly Anna (not to be confused with Dreamin of) looks interesting as a mid range price.

Race 13: Now I'm really pushing it, but this race is impossible, at first glance, anyway. Perhaps Stately Pegasus has finally found a field he can beat.

Comments please..

Thanks, Hoss, but why wouldn't Dick take over?

ok Seth...my comment??


COSMONAUT????:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Hey, Einstein's not running, so I can't lose any more $$ on him Saturday. Seriously, EC was brilliant LAST year, I know it's only 2 starts so far, but the Dubai performance was quite sub par.

VERY sub par is more like it....but that was a different class of horses than he is facing this Saturday.

I understand that, but if he had run "his" race and still lost, that would be a different story. This coupled with the strange campaign he has had leaves me with major ????. As the favorite, giving weight, well you have to at least consider other options.

Not every horse takes to shipping half way around the world. It's quite a bit different than shipping from NY to FL.

The reason I threw Steppenwolfer in there is that his dirt figs are very competitive, and his one turf fig, while slower than these, may have been compromised by the trip.

well...luck with Cosmonaut boys. Me personally, I don't see it.

I agree with you Jay...he would have won the Dixie...and beaten who, other than Einstein?

Outperformance??? Woodlander?? Dreadnaught??


Other than EC...

even without Shake the Bank, BTN still has a shot with Red Zipper entered. I also think Sky Conquerer rates a chance in here.

Sky Conqueror's last was ultra impressive, but he seems to move up big on wet/soft turf.

He does move up on the wet...but he is capable on the firm footing as well.

Do you guys really like Steppenwolfer? I am having a hard time seeing him even in the super....


and I am with you on BTN....I will let him beat me...even though I do think it sets up fairly well for him.

Steppenwolfer is a pure hunch at this point, as I said, competitive dirt figs, but only 1 turf race, his most recent. Could surprise, or run last.. the odds will determine if he is worth the risk.