Belmont Stakes (G1) Preview
June 3rd, 2011By Jude T. Feld
The soldier at the eighth pole on Kentucky Derby day had an edge on the Preakness exacta. Will it be more of the same on Belmont day?JOHN KOSCIAK PHOTO
When the nation’s most comprehensive website covering three-year-old Thoroughbreds, thedowneyprofile.com posts:
“NYRA Ditches Jay Z/Keys for Frankie”
You know there is no chance for a Triple Crown.
The big news on Kentucky Derby guru Dick Downey’s website a week out from the Belmont Stakes is that the classic tune, “New York, New York,†will be piped through Belmont Park’s sound system instead of the more modern, “Empire State of Mind.†(“Sidewalks of New York†was the Belmont’s official song until “New York, New York” was introduced in 1997.)
Whatever the song, this year’s race is a good one, not short on entries or talent. Here’s our current take on the probables, a week from the running:
Animal Kingdom – Gets ideal conditions to vindicate Preakness defeat.
Nehro – Owns a great style for the Belmont.
Shackleford – Must answer a big distance question.
Brilliant Speed – Continues to improve; Should relish the distance.
Master of Hounds – Two ships a big knock but hard to ignore off his solid Derby run.
Monzon – Training well at historic Sagamore Farm.
Prime Cut – Not sure he fits at the distance or the class.
Ruler On Ice – Pedigree suggests distance impairment.
Santiva – Who picks these spots? Oh, the owner.
Harlan’s Hello – Not sure “The Dude†can read a condition book.
Mucho Macho Man – Doubt his new rider will help him put on weight.
Stay Thirsty – Thrown to the dogs once again.
Isn’t He Perfect – Isn’t he still slow?
