Finally, the big day is here at Belmont.  It’s a beautiful Summer day, the track is drying out and they will be running on a soft turf course for all races except #12 & #13.  So who’s going to win the Belmont Stakes?  Well, it’s Summer Bird (#4), a horse I fell in love with so fast, I never it saw coming!

This lightly raced son of Birdstone (a past Belmont winner), trained by Tim Ice, gets a tremendous rider switch to Kent Desormeaux  (from CR Rosier), and is my pick to upset the field at 10-1 or better.  He ran a deceptively good race in the Derby and gets blinkers today which will help him stay closer to a slow pace and finish.  I like him to catch Charitable Man (#6), who ran a great race in the Peter Pan and who is the main speed they will all have to catch.  I’m playing both on top in doubles and pick 3’s, the pick 4 and pick 6.  I don’t think Mine That Bird (#7) will be able to rally from far back given the slow pace and I won’t use him today!

Good luck!

The second that Mine That Bird went past the finish line in yesterday’s Derby, I did what every serious horseplayer would do…I went back to the Racing Form and tried to make a case for the winner.  I went over and over the stats, for at least 30 minutes, and I couldn’t find one good reason to back this horse in the most important race of the year.  In fact, he should have been 100-1!

Oh well.  It just reminds you that this game can be cruel for handicappers and you have to be out of your mind to think you can predict everything.  But guess what — there’s always tomorrow!

Starting with the Derby, the scratch of I Want Revenge means that Friesan Fire is my selection.  He likes an off track, can stay close to a slower pace and finish.  I’m keying him up and down with Papa Clem, Chocolate Candy, Dunkirk and Pioneer of the Nile.

In the Turf Classic (Race 10), watch for a speed duel between  Cowboy Cal and Thorn Song, both suspect on good turf, and play a closer to win the race.  I love Artiste Royale and am playing him to win and up and down with Proudinsky and Einstein.

In the Humana Distaff (Race 9), I love Secret Gypsy to wire the field and hold Game Face off in the stretch.  I’m making a big win bet and exacta box.

See all my picks and good luck!