Following the Kentucky Derby (GI), Orb was declared
the next Triple Crown winner. But with a lackluster finish in the Preakness Stakes (GI) behind Oxbow, the
colt’s hopes of ending the 35-year drought came to a sudden halt. This
year’s installment of the Belmont Stakes (GI) will not be abuzz with Triple
Crown excitement, but the “Test of the Champion” has drawn an admirable field
nonetheless. Who will win the final leg of the 2013 Triple Crown?
Listed below are all of the horses entered to run in the 2013 Belmont Stakes,
along with descriptions of their pedigrees in regards to stamina, track
condition influences (there is a 60% of rain on Saturday), race records, final preparations, and
my opinions of them. The runners are listed in post position order.
1. FRAC DADDY:
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
By Florida Derby winner (GI) Scat Daddy and
out of a Skip Away mare, Frac Daddy’s pedigree appears to have a limit of ten
furlongs, although he may gain support from his great-grandsires Nijinsky and
Seattle Slew for longer distances.
If the Track is Sloppy:
Mr. Prospector appears in Frac Daddy’s pedigree twice and this colt’s sire,
Scat Daddy, won his debut over a muddy track. However, his dam’s two attempts
over a good track resulted in poor finishes. Frac Daddy was a clear second in
his debut, which came over a muddy track, but was a distant sixteenth in the
Kentucky Derby in the slop.
Race Record:
Frac Daddy garnered his first victory in his second start, which came at
Churchill Downs. He turned in a game runner-up performance in the Kentucky
Jockey Club Stakes (GI) beneath the twin spires, but in his first start as a
three-year-old, the Holy Bull Stakes (GIII), Frac Daddy finished sixth after
grabbing a quarter. Following a poor seventh-place effort in the Florida Derby
(GI), Frac Daddy ran second in the Arkansas Derby (GI) behind Overanalyze. In
the Derby, he traveled wide prior to showing no kick down the lane.
Final Preparations:
Frac Daddy has trained well since the Derby, firing a trifecta of 47-and-change
half-mile breezes at Churchill Downs, two of which were bullets. His most
recent work was a bullet drill on May 31.
Conclusions:
Frac Daddy has formed a pattern of running a commendable race prior to
finishing poorly in his subsequent start. For those who place weight on
patterns, he is coming off a poor
finish. However, he may be in over his head here.
2. FREEDOM CHILD:
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina: A grandson of Belmont Stakes winner A.P. Indy through his sire, Malibu Moon, Freedom Child is therefore
a great-grandson of Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew. His dam is a daughter
of Deputy Minister, a Canadian Hall of Famer that has appeared within the first
three generations of numerous distance horses, including Curlin, Paynter, and
Rags to Riches. He was a tremendous broodmare sire, producing the dams of many
talented distance horses, including the multiple group one-winning Kane Hekili
and Sarava, winner of the 2002 Belmont.
If the Track is Sloppy: A
grandson of underestimated mud influence A.P. Indy, Freedom Child’s sire,
Malibu Moon, has proven to be a top sire of mudders – including Freedom Child
and Orb. His broodmare sire, Deputy Minister, is a major mud influence as well.
Freedom Child is inbred 3 X 4 to Mr. Prospector – one of the most well-known
mud influences of the breed.
Race Record: A poor eighth in his
debut last fall, Freedom Child finished second behind Orb – and ahead of
Revolutionary – in the second start of his career. Following a third-place
effort in his sophomore debut, Freedom Child finally broke his maiden in March
at Gulfstream Park, dominating a nine-furlong maiden special weight by 5 ¼ lengths.
Unprepared at the start of the Wood Memorial Stakes (GI) in his following
start, Freedom Child finished last but was declared a non-starter as a result
of the unfair beginning. He rebounded next out in the Peter Pan Stakes (GII)
over a sloppy track at Belmont, romping by 13 ¼ lengths.
Final Preparations: Freedom Child’s only
work since the May 11 Peter Pan was a brisk five-furlong drill at Belmont Park
on May 27, in which he worked eagerly.
Conclusions: As is the case for any
horse coming off a dominant victory, especially one over a sloppy surface,
there is a large chance of a bounce for Freedom Child in the Belmont. However,
he is bred for the distance of the Belmont and, under the right circumstances,
has shown impressive talent. He should not be ignored on Saturday.
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
A horse with a pedigree
slightly questionable in relation to distance, Overanalyze’s sire – Dixie Union
– has been considered to not be useful in siring distance horses. However, his
son Union Rags won last year’s Belmont. Despite appearing to be rather lacking
in outstanding stakes success, Overanalyze’s tail female line traces back to
Muzzie II, a mare imported from Great Britain in 1931 that produced the
multiple stakes-winning Shot Put – a gelding that equaled and set numerous
track records at various distances, including 2 ¾ miles and 2 ¼ miles.
If the Track is Sloppy:
On an off-track, Overanalyze
should benefit from being inbred 4 X 4 to Mr. Prospector. The grandsire of his
dam, Private Account, was bred for mud, being by Damascus and out of a
Buckpasser mare. Yet, he finished eleventh in the slop in the Derby.
Race Record:
Overanalyze contested in four
graded stakes events as a juvenile, capturing two of them – including the
Remsen Stakes (GII) by a nose over Normandy Invasion. In his first two starts
as a three-year-old, Overanalyze ran a poor fifth in the Gotham Stakes (GIII)
behind Vyjack prior to an easy win in the Arkansas Derby (GI). But in the
Kentucky Derby, he finished a weak eleventh.
Final Preparations:
Since the Derby, Overanalyze
has posted three works, the most recent of which was a 48.01 half-mile drill at
Belmont on June 2.
Conclusions:
Overanalyze has never won
consecutive races, having formed a win-lose-win-lose pattern. This could be a
good omen for the colt, as he is entering the Belmont off a loss. However, he
will need to step it up to win Saturday.
4.
GIANT FINISH:
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
This colt is a
member of the first crop of Frost Giant – a grade one-winning son of Giant’s
Causeway that won up to ten furlongs – and is out of a Hickman Creek – a son of
1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew – mare.
If
the Track is Sloppy:
Sired by Frost Giant, a horse that was primarily raced over the turf,
Giant Finish is inbred 4 X 3 to Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, who can be
found in the pedigree of many mudders. The broodmare sire of his sire, Gone
West, has been an influential mud sire. Giant Finish was a poor fifth in his first
sloppy try and tenth in the Derby over a track of the same condition, but
rallied in a decent manner in the latter.
Race
Record:
Winner of his debut, Giant Finish finished fifth in the Damon Runyon at
Aqueduct in the second start of his career prior to taking an allowance
optional claiming event at the same track. Second in the John Battaglia
Memorial Stakes over Turfway Park’s Polytrack, Giant Finish then ran third in
the Spiral Stakes (GIII). As the second-longest shot in the field in the Derby,
Giant Finish appeared to be traveling backward around the far turn, but
suddenly, he picked up the pace and was able to close steadily for a
tenth-place effort that was far beyond his odds.
Final
Preparations:
He has turned in three half-mile works since the Derby, the most recent
of which came at Belmont Park on June 4.
Conclusions:
Giant Finish appears to be outclassed here.
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
This
colt is clearly bred for distance. A grandson of A.P. Indy through his sire,
Malibu Moon, Orb is therefore a great-grandson of Triple Crown hero Seattle
Slew. Orb is a half-brother to Cause of Freedom, an earner of more than
$100,000 who never won at a distance shorter than nine furlongs and won up to
eleven furlongs. This colt is from a very strong tail female line, hailing from
the same female family as the great Ruffian.
If the Track is Sloppy:
The
Kentucky Derby winner is clearly proven over off-going, having won the Run for
the Roses by 2 ½ lengths over a sloppy track. His grandsire, A.P. Indy, is
hidden mud influence and his sire’s broodmare sire is top mud influence in Mr.
Prospector, a horse Orb is inbred to 3 X 4. The sire of Orb’s dam sire is
Fappiano and the colt also traces back to Damascus, both of which are major
off-track influences. His fifth generation is also home to the influential mud
horses Buckpasser and In Reality. Orb’s dam, Lady Liberty, was third – beaten
less than 2 lengths – in one of her two starts over a sloppy track and won an
allowance over a good track. In her other try over an off-track, she finished
last of five, but her loss was more of a matter of being outclassed than not
handling the track.
Race Record:
Orb
turned in steady efforts in his first three starts but did not win until his
fourth race. Since then however, he has been spectacular on nearly every
occasion, winning three races at Gulfstream Park this year, including the
Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) and the Florida Derby (GI) prior to capturing the
Kentucky Derby with authority. Triple Crown hopes were dashed with his
lackluster fourth-place finish in the Preakness, although he did make a slight rally in that classic.
Final Preparations:
Orb’s
flashy but quick work prior to the Preakness may have been a contributing
factor to his loss, but his final work for the Belmont was more than a second
slower, hopefully conserving some of his energy. A great work horse, Orb
finished his four-furlong drill very strongly, completing it in 48.30 on June
2.
Conclusions:
Orb
has a great chance to rebound on Saturday and, having spent much time at
Belmont Park, has a home track advantage. He is bred to be successful at long
distances and appears to be the class of this field.
6.
INCOGNITO:
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
This colt’s sire is Belmont winner A.P. Indy, son of Triple Crown winner
Seattle Slew and sire of Belmont Stakes victress Rags to Riches. Perhaps boasting the most well-known parents in
this field, his dam is the multiple grade one-winning Octave – who won up to
ten furlongs.
If the Track is Sloppy:
A.P. Indy is a hidden mud influence and through him, Incognito is a grandson of
Seattle Slew, who can be found in the pedigree of many mudders. Octave was
second to Rags to Riches in the 2007 Kentucky Oaks (GI) over a muddy track and
a fast-closing third over a very sloppy surface in that year’s Breeders’ Cup
Distaff (GI). Her sire, Unbridled’s Song, captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
(GI) in the mud and is from the Fappiano sire line, which has proven to be very
effective in the pedigrees of mudders. Incognito’s second start resulted in a
third-place finish over a sloppy track, but he was fifth in his most recent start,
the Peter Pan Stakes (GII) – contested upon a sloppy track at Belmont Park.
Race Record:
Although the initial three starts of Incognito’s career resulted in losses, he
showed promise in these races, rallying well despite troubled trips prior to
galloping out impressively. He broke his maiden in March at Aqueduct, remaining
forwardly placed prior to drawing off to score by 3 ¼ lengths. The winning
margin of just a nose in his subsequent start, an allowance optional claiming,
may appear unattractive, but he won the race in very game fashion following a
tumultuous trip. Incognito did not seem to care for the sloppy track in the
Peter Pan, finishing fifth, but he found his best stride late, galloping out
ahead of the winner to indicate that added distance will be to his advantage.
Final Preparations:
Incognito has recorded a pair of half-mile works since the Peter Pan, the most
recent of which was a good 48.25-second clocking over Belmont’s training oval.
Conclusions:
This well-bred individual may be overlooked on Saturday, but has shown promise
and although he is far from a likely winner, he could very well turn in a
noteworthy performance.
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
This
colt is a three-quarters brother to Haskell Invitational (GI, 9F) winner and
Belmont Stakes (GI, 12F) runner-up Paynter,
being by Breeders' Cup Classic (GI, 10F) winner Awesome Again and out of a full
sister to two-time Breeders' Cup Classic hero Tiznow. His broodmare sire is Deputy Minister, who, as
aforementioned, is a Canadian Hall of Famer
that has appeared within the first three generations of numerous distance
horses, including Curlin, Paynter, and Rags to Riches. He was a tremendous
broodmare sire, producing the dams of many talented distance horses, including
the multiple group one-winning Kane Hekili and Sarava, winner of the 2002
Belmont..
If
the Track is Sloppy:
This colt’s sire, Awesome Again, was a winner in the slop and is a son
of mud influence Deputy Minister. His broodmare sire, Cee’s Tizzy, is a hidden
mud influence, being a grandson of In Reality – a major force in the pedigree
of mudders. Also, like In Reality, Mr. Prospector – known for having a large
impact on horses in the slop – resides in Oxbow’s third generation. Oxbow
finished a good sixth in the Derby, but may have struggled a bit with the
sloppy surface.
Race
Record:
Pulled up and vanned off in his debut, Oxbow turned in a pair of steady
performances in maiden special weights prior to breaking his maiden by a large
margin at Churchill Downs. Shipped west for the CashCall Futurity (GI), Oxbow
finished fourth to culminate his juvenile campaign. His three-year-old year
began with a romp in the LeComte Stakes (GIII) at the Fair Grounds, which
preceded good efforts but losses in the Risen Star Stakes (GII), Rebel Stakes
(GII), Arkansas Derby (GI), and Kentucky Derby (GI). However, he rebounded in
the Preakness, receiving an easy lead and holding clear to score by 1 ¾
lengths.
Final
Preparations:
Oxbow has posted one work since the Preakness, going six furlongs in
1:14.60 at Churchill Downs on May 30.
Conclusions:
Oxbow, though gifted, is less likely to be the lone speed like he has been in all of his victories.
8. MIDNIGHT
TABOO:
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
Although his sire, Langfuhr, was a champion sprinter that has produced
runners of the same type, he has also sired the likes of Wando, winner of the
2003 Canadian Triple Crown – which presents races of the same distances as the
American Triple Crown. Other successful distance horses sired by Langfuhr
include Jambalaya – a multiple grade one winner who won at or beyond ten
furlongs on several occasions; Interpatation – a grade one winner at twelve
furlongs; Marlang – a Canadian classic winner at twelve furlongs; and
Gangbuster – a stakes winner at thirteen furlongs that was also stakes-placed
at fourteen furlongs. This colt’s unraced dam, Hot Red, is a daughter of
Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Thunder Gulch.
If the Track is Sloppy:
His sire, Langfuhr, played the role of runner-up over a sloppy track in his
second race, but was fifth in the Kennedy Road Breeders’ Cup Handicap contested
over a muddy surface. His unraced dam’s sire, Thunder Gulch, placed in a graded
stakes over a muddy track. Through his dam, Midnight Taboo is a
great-great-grandson of the major mud influences Mr. Prospector and In Reality. Last out, Midnight Taboo finished second over a muddy track.
Race
Record:
Second in his debut, which was also Oxbow’s debut (in which the
Preakness winner was pulled up and vanned off), last August at Saratoga,
Midnight Taboo did not race again until this April, winning a maiden special
weight at Aqueduct. His most recent start was a runner-up effort in an
allowance optional claiming event at Belmont.
Final
Preparations:
Midnight Taboo has had three works since his last race, his final drill
for the Belmont occurring in a five-furlong breeze with a final clocking of
1:00.88.
Conclusions:
Having only raced three times, never having started beyond a mile and
one-sixteenth, going a mile and one-half at the highest level in just his
fourth start seems to be asking too much of Midnight Taboo.
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
A
son of the late champion War Pass, Revolutionary is out of a grade one-winning
daughter of Belmont winner A.P. Indy that was successful at ten furlongs. Notably, the colt is
a direct descendant of the great broodmare La Troienne, who is found in the
tail female line of the Derby winners Go for Gin, Sea Hero, Smarty Jones, and
Super Saver. Although the top side of this colt’s pedigree leans toward speed,
his dam side should give him stamina support.
If the Track is Sloppy:
His
sire, War Pass, was a dominant winner in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI),
which was contested over a sloppy track. His broodmare sire, A.P. Indy, is an
underestimated mud influence and his third generation is home to Mr.
Prospector. However, his dam ran poorly in her only start over the slop. Revolutionary ran
well over the sloppy surface of the Kentucky Derby, finishing third.
Race Record:
Despite
encountering much bad luck throughout his career, Revolutionary has won three
of his seven starts. Catching my eye with his debut, a third-place effort at
Saratoga, Revolutionary did not break his maiden until his fourth start,
although he had finished no worse than third prior to then. He won the two
starts following his maiden: the Withers Stakes (GIII) and the Louisiana Derby
(GII), gutting out a win in both of those races despite traffic trouble. He
rallied well in the Kentucky Derby, but could not match Orb’s kick and finished
third.
Final Preparations:
Revolutionary
has completed a pair of works since the Derby, the most recent of which was a
solid half-mile breeze at Belmont Park on June 2.
Conclusions:
A
gutsy horse, Revolutionary seems to be a formidable competitor. Although the
top side of his pedigree provides cause for concern, the bottom half of his
pedigree should aid him in running well at twelve furlongs. He is certainly one
of the top contenders in the Belmont.
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
One of the most beautifully bred horses in the race, Will Take Charge is a son
of top sire Unbridled's Song and the grade one-winning mare Take Charge Lady,
which makes him a half-brother to winner of the 2012 Florida Derby (GI), Take
Charge Indy. However, this pedigree sets him up to weaken beyond nine furlongs.
If
the Track is Sloppy:
Although Will Take Charge is from the Fappiano sire line and is inbred
to that mud influence 3 X 4 and is a great-grandson of Deputy Minister, he was
a poor sixth over a sloppy track in the Southwest Stakes (GIII). However, he
performed well in the Derby despite having to forcefully check at the top of
the stretch and rallied well over the mud to finish eighth.
Race
Record:
Will Take Charge's first victory came in his second start. He then
finished last in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (GII) at Churchill Downs prior
to finishing second against weaker company in the Remington Springboard Mile
Stakes at Remington Park. He began 2013 with a win in the Smarty Jones Stakes
at Oaklawn Park. Will Take Charge did not take a liking to the mud in the
Southwest Stakes (GIII), finishing sixth. He then resurfaced with a game win
over stablemate Oxbow in the Rebel Stakes (GII) prior to training up to the
Derby following his victory. He was given no chance in the Derby after being
forced to check at the top of the stretch, but ran on well to finish eighth. He
finished a poor seventh in the Preakness following an awkward break from the
gate.
Final
Preparations:
In his only work since the Preakness, Will Take Charge completed six
furlongs in a slow 1:15.80 at Churchill Downs on May 30.
Conclusions:
Will Take Charge seems to be a horse in need of a confidence booster
and the Belmont Stakes does not seem to be a perfect opportunity for that, as
he has not fared well in the previous Triple Crown races and he is not thoroughly
bred to thrive over the twelve-furlong distance of the Belmont.
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
Vyjack's pedigree does not give him much
hope for being successful at classic distances, as he is a son of Into Mischief
and out of a mare that has failed to produce horses capable of winning at long
distances.
If the Track is Sloppy:
This colt’s grandsire, Harlan’s Holiday, won a grade three over a “wet fast”
track and in his fourth and fifth generations, you can find the names of the
likes of Blushing Groom, His Majesty, and Mr. Prospector. Vyjack captured his
stakes debut by 5 ¾ lengths over a sloppy track, but performed very poorly in
the Derby over a track of the same manner.
Race Record:
Vyjack won the first four starts of his career, including impressive victories
in the Traskwood Stakes and Gotham Stakes (GIII). In his final start before the
Derby, the gelding finished third in the Wood Memorial Stakes (GI) behind
Verrazano and Normandy Invasion. Breaking from the outside post in the Run for
the Roses, Vyjack weakened early on in the race, finishing eighteenth of nineteen.
Final Preparations:
It is worrisome that Vyjack has only turned in one work since his poor finish
in the Derby, and a weak work at that. He completed six furlongs in 1:12.11 at
Aqueduct on May 28 and though this time is rather average, this work was
denoted as “handily” – meaning he was pushed throughout the drill.
Conclusions:
A win in the Belmont by Vyjack would be very surprising, as – although he is
talented – Vyjack is better suited to shorter distances and may still be
fatigued from his start in the Kentucky Derby.
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina: Being a son of two-time Horse
of the Year Curlin – who finished
second, beaten a head, in the 2007 Belmont – and a Royal Anthem – who won at
twelve furlongs on multiple occasions – mare, long distances should be
right up this one’s alley.
If the Track is Sloppy:
His
sire, Curlin, was a dominant winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) in the
slop and is a grandson of both Mr. Prospector and Deputy Minister. Palace
Malice’s dam traces back to Relaunch, a major mud influence. Palace
Malice finished a good second over a sloppy track at Gulfstream Park earlier
this year and although his twelfth-place finish over a track of the same manner
in the Kentucky Derby may be off-putting, he received a nightmare trip,
essentially turning into a runaway after being equipped with blinkers for the
first time.
Race Record:
Palace
Malice broke his maiden impressively in his second start and after a runner-up
effort in an allowance optional claiming event at Gulfstream Park this January,
Palace Malice advanced to graded stakes company and hasn’t looked back since.
The colt ran a very good third in the Risen Star Stakes (GII) prior to
finishing seventh in the Louisiana Derby (GII), a race that can be thrown out
for Palace Malice, as the colt had no chance after encountering severe traffic
trouble. His last race before the Derby was a noteworthy runner-up finish in
the Blue Grass Stakes (GI) over Keeneland’s Polytrack. A line can be drawn
through the Derby for Palace Malice, as he is much more talented than the
outlandish journey suggests.
Final Preparations:
Since
the Derby, Palace Malice has been working extremely well. He has recorded three
works at Belmont Park, the most recent of which was a half-mile breeze in 47.56.
Conclusions:
It
is certainly to his advantage that Palace Malice has a good race at Belmont
under his belt, as well as several terrific workouts. The colt has shown much
potential in the past and should benefit from the removal of blinkers. He
should not be forgotten in Saturday’s race.
13. UNLIMITED BUDGET:
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
Striving
to become the first filly to win the Belmont since fellow Todd Pletcher-trained
Rags to Riches, Unlimited Budget’s pedigree seems to give her a limit of ten
furlongs. A daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, Unlimited Budget is
out of a stakes-placed daughter of Valid Appeal – a stallion that produced many
nine furlong winners but few that won beyond that distance.
If the Track is Sloppy:
This
filly’s sire, Street Sense, lost all of his starts over a sloppy surface,
although he never finished worse than fourth in such a situation. The sire of
her broodmare sire is In Reality, one of the best mud influences in the breed.
Unlimited Budget has never raced over a muddy surface.
Race Record:
Heading
into the Kentucky Oaks (GI) with a flawless race record, Unlimited Budget had
handled every test thrown in her direction perfectly. A graded stakes winner in
New York as a two-year-old, Unlimited Budget won both of her graded stakes
preps at the Fair Grounds this year. Her undefeated record was marred in the
Oaks when she finished third, but she was defeated by just 2 ½ lengths.
Final Preparations:
All
three of Unlimited Budget’s works since the Oaks have taken place at Belmont
Park and her most recent was a bullet work on June 2, in which she traveled
four furlongs in 47.55 seconds.
Conclusions:
Only three fillies have won the Belmont Stakes and each of them showed much
more brilliance prior to their triumphs in the Test of the Champion than
Unlimited Budget has. Although very talented, her pedigree does not support her as
greatly as most of her male competitors and she does not seem to possess the prowess females Thoroughbreds need against males.
14. GOLDEN SOUL:
Pedigree in Regards to Stamina:
A
son of Canadian champion Perfect Soul and out of a Mr. Prospector mare that has
been primarily successful with runners under nine furlongs, Golden Soul’s
ability to be successful at classic distances is questionable with a quick
glance at his pedigree. However, his grandsire is the distance-influencing
Sadler’s Wells and his second dam was a group one winner beyond ten furlongs.
If the Track is Sloppy:
Although
Golden Soul’s sire, Perfect Soul, was a turf horse, the colt’s broodmare sire
is Mr. Prospector – one of the top mud influences in the breed. The colt
finished a good second in the Derby over a sloppy track.
Race Record:
After
his maiden score in his second career start, Golden Soul was second behind
Oxbow in the LeComte Stakes (GIII). He then finished sixth in the Risen Star
Stakes (GII) and fourth in the Louisiana Derby (GII), both of which were
somewhat lackluster performances. He outran his high odds in the Kentucky
Derby, closing to finish second.
Final Preparations:
Golden Soul exited the Derby a tired horse and has only had a single work
since, going five furlongs in 1:00.40 at Churchill Downs.
Conclusions:
Golden
Soul will need to prove the Derby was not a fluke but may have difficulty doing
so, as he appears to still be taxed from his effort in the Run for the Roses.
A field divided between contenders and pretenders, Orb is my top selection in
the 145th Belmont Stakes. However, I also expect good performances
from Revolutionary and Freedom Child. I will also not throw out Oxbow or Palace
Malice. My longshot selection is Incognito.
