Belmont Stakes Day 2010

The Belmont stakes promises to be very exciting this year with an equally matched field of twelve.  The distance and the surface may be a challenge for some, but all will be pursuing the $1 Million purse.

Belmont Park Race 11 {The Belmont~G1~1 1/2 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
Despite the fact that the Kentucky Derby winner and the Preakness winner are not in this field, this will still be a very exciting race.  All will be competing for a piece of the one million dollar purse.  Even the fifth place finisher will get three percent.  Not a bad pay day.  An amount equivalent to the commission on a million dollar real estate deal...$30,000.

Looking at some of the contenders, this could end up as a trainer, Nick Zito exacta.  Running at "Big Sandy" is difficult under normal circumstances, with its expansive turns and long stretch.  Add to those dimensions the Belmont distance of one and a half mile, and it becomes a test of stamina and endurance. With the majority of the entrants closers, the pace will be modest.  Consequently, grabbing the distance will be most important.

Fly Down (J. Velazquez / Zito) is prepared to run well with the third highest last out speed number and two robust workouts.  He is two for two at Belmont and displays the highest speed number there.

Ice Box (Lezcano / Zito) is more than ready to put in a good effort after his runner up finish in the Kentucky Derby.  He has the second highest last out speed number and two sinewy workouts.  With three wins over the dirt surface he will be looking for victory.

Stay Put (Theriot / Margolis) is certainly bred to get this distance.  With a seven race progression, a decent last out speed number and three superb, peaking workouts.  He is prepared to run a terrific race.

First Dude (Dominguez / Romans) showed his mettle in the Preakness, almost holding on to capture the win.  He is another bred to get this classic distance.  He looks to be the controlling speed and with soft fractions he could pull it off.  He posts the highest last out speed number and two very athletic workouts.  There are only two horses that could keep his pace honest; Interactif (Castellano / Pletcher) and Game On Dude (M. Garcia / Baffert).

Spangled Star (Gomez / R. Dutrow) could be sitting on the effort of his life.  Though his speed numbers are not that great, he does have an eight race progression (each successive speed number is better than the last).  His five workout tab is the absolute best of this group.  Trainer Rick Dutrow has had him work a beautiful, peaking workout series of 6 furlongs--5 furlongs--4 furlongs.  He is coming into his third race of the form cycle and with Garrett Gomez in the irons he is a legitimate threat.

Drosselmeyer (Smith / Mott) is wonderfully prepared for this race and will fight hard for a piece of the purse.  He sports a decent last out speed number and a fantastic, peaking workout set.  He has raced splendidly over the dirt surface and is capable of popping a good one.

The 2010 Belmont Stakes picks:
$1 WIN / PLACE / SHOW:  #5 Fly Down.
$1 PLACE / SHOW:  #6 Ice Box.
$2 SHOW:  #10 Stay Put.
10 CENT Superfecta:  #5 Fly Down, #6 Ice Box / #5, #6 / #10 Stay Put, #11 First Dude / #10, #11, #2 Spangled Star, #7 Drosselmeyer.
















Friday's Results
Belmont R10.  Our first pick, Eldaafer, finished 3rd for show money of $1.95.  Our second pick, Gangbuster, finished 7th.  Our third pick, Alcomo [BRZ], won (1st) for show money of $7.60.
Bankroll edges up to $18.25.