American Pharoah (#5) Espinoza / Baffert (3-5)
It's been 37 years since we last saw a Triple Crown winner; I was 14 years old, there have been 10 thoroughbreds since I first followed the sport that have failed; that's been 28 years and since starting this column in 1998; I've been disappointed 7 times! It ALL ends today with the most talked about three year old trying to complete this feat since Spectacular Bid in 1979, There are two things in my opinion that will stop him today; if he can't get the mile and a half distance and the Belmont track itself with it's sandy surface.
Mubtaahij (#1) Ortiz Jr. / de Kock (10-1)
The European threat came up a clunker in the Kentucky Derby finishing a no factor 8th at 14-1, a runner who some considered a "wise guy" play the First Saturday gets a freshening from that effort and plenty of works over the Belmont strip since then, I have no doubt that the distance is right up his alley and is the "price" threat here to derail a Triple Crown bid.
Frosted (#6) Rosario / McLaughlin (5-1)
Grinded his way to a 4th place finish in the Derby making up ground late where others didn't, skipped the Preakness and pointed to this race, his trainer has won this race in the past and would be no surprise if gets the perfect trip behind the odds-on favorite, a must use.
Madefromlucky (#3) Castellano / Pletcher (12-1)
Winner of the Peter Pan Stakes here at Belmont Park which is a prep race for this marathon, has run behind our big time favorite in two races at Oaklawn Park this spring, the ONLY non Triple Crown foe of this group, race over the track may mean something here!
Materiality (#8) Velazquez / Pletcher (6-1)
The runner I didn't like in the Kentucky Derby had the universal bad trip in that race by stumbling at the start and finishing well although beaten nearly eight lengths, he's the "wise guy" horse today as he skipped the Preakness for this spot, once again I prefer to leave him off my tickets since he'll most likely be an underlay.
Keen Ice (#7) Desormeaux / Romans (20-1)
no factor in the Derby, really no factor today in the "win" spot, he could suck-up for 3rd or 4th at best.
Tale of Verve (#2) Rosario / Stewart (15-1)
got up for 2nd on a sloppy Pimlico surface in the Preakness Stakes, he gave us a more valued exacta than in the Derby, let's see him do the same on a dry surface!
Frammento (#4) Smith / Zito (30-1)
It's New York ....... it's Nick Zito ....... it's NOT your typical runner from these connections, I'll pass big time with this plodder!
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