Notes on the 142nd Belmont (G1) Contenders
June 1st, 2010By Jude T. Feld
The 142nd running of the Belmont Stakes (G1) will take place Saturday afternoon. Entries will be taken on Wednesday. Here’s an early look at the main contenders in my current order of preference:
ICE BOX (110 Marathon Rating) Both of his grandsires – A.P. Indy and Tabasco Cat – won the Belmont (G1) so pedigree is not an issue. Many racing scribes thought he was best in the Kentucky Derby (G1), finishing second after a horrible trip from the two-hole. The son of Pulpit continues to train well for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito, who is no stranger to the Belmont (G1) winners’ circle. All the Robert LaPenta colorbearer needs is a little pace help up front to wear the carnations. Latest Workout: 5/27 SAR TT 46 3/5
FIRST DUDE (106) Handsome colt owns the excellent tactical speed that could serve him well in the third leg of the Triple Crown. He ran the best race of his life in the Preakness (G1), narrowly defeated by Lookin At Lucky. If the son of Stephen Got Even, from the Dale Romans barn, doesn’t bounce off that hard race, he could be very tough to beat, especially if left alone up front. Latest Workout: 5/29 BEL 1:01
SPANGLED STAR (106) Trainer Rick Dutrow likes to give his stakes horses six weeks between starts, so don’t let the layoff scare you. This son of Distorted Humor has been pointed to the Belmont (G1) for awhile and he seems to be training like a bomb. It is a great sign that jockey agent Ron Anderson sees fit to take the call on this longshot with Garrett Gomez. Expect a big effort. Latest Workout: 5/27 1:01 2/5 AQU
DROSSELMEYER (108) is a very logical contender but it has been reported that he has had some sore tootsies. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott had the WinStar Farm-owned colt fitted with bar shoes and the son of Distorted Humor popped off with a :59 and change workout, after his second-place finish in the Dwyer (G2), so the reports of his demise could be greatly exaggerated. Our Horse Racing Radio Network collegue, Sean Clancy, has been high on this colt’s Belmont (G1) chances since the Louisiana Derby (G2). Latest Workout: 5/30 :59 3/5 BEL
FLY DOWN (103) is another Zito trainee. He looked sensational in the Dwyer (G2), Belmont Park’s traditional prep for their signature race, winning by six lengths. He’s only raced five times, but he has won three of those starts and has unlimited upside potential. Jockey Jose Lezcano, the regular rider for both ICE BOX and FLY DOWN opts to ride the favorite but jockey John Velazquez is a very capable substitute and has a Belmont (G1) win on his resume with the talented filly Rags to Riches. Latest Workout: 5/30 :47 2/5 SAR
MAKE MUSIC FOR ME (108) ran pretty well in the Kentucky Derby (G1). From his running style, it would seem the mile and a half is right up his alley. His pedigree (by Storm Cat sire from a Carson City mare) leans toward shorter races however and the fact that he really hasn’t been tearing up the racetrack in the morning is a bit of a concern. Let’s monitor his training leading up to the race before deciding to play or pass. Latest Workout: 5/31 BEL TT 1:01 1/5
