Belmont Discussion Thread ~

Duckgawd

First topic I wanted to bring up, and hear your guys thoughts about, is:

The Pace of The Race?

If I am recalling correctly, Last years pace was slow and both Curlin and Rags To Riches were somewhat close to the pace and then had that wonderful stretch run.

I think a big misconception for the Belmont is that it sets up for a closer since it is so long, but without a hot pace I think it sets up for a stalking trip. I was thinking #6 Da' Tara will be sent out early, then I think Casino Drive would be next, The connections say the horse can sit off, but look like a bad break in the peter pan otherwise i think would of been right on the lead. Then Big Brown I think is right up there as well.... Question is, do you think they run off and big brown will have to run early in fear of casino drive going wire to wire?

Closers of the Race, Denis of Cork and Readys Echo (Who I think has a good shot, with a horrible break last time out)

The rest of them I put in the middle.... But what you guys think, They will set slow Fractions again this year?

fbwinners

Duck,

The only way Big Brown will lose this race if he falls down out of the gate, I really don't think Casino Drive can win this race off just two career races! The two horses that catch my eye in this race to run behind B.B. are Denis of Cork and Ichab Crane. I think the rest of the field is by far less superior and I agree with you on Readys Echo he could step up and run a credible race. I know many people don't want B.B. to win because of his connectins but he is a real runner.

FB

Duckgawd

Agreed, Big Brown is the Best horse! And I am Routing for him! WIll be the first Triple Crown in my time.....

And going along with you, I think a lot of people, Me included are looking for reasons why he WON'T Win, instead of reasons why he will win, and again this is again weak field again. I cant believe anybody would run a Maiden against this guy! Guadalcanal has no reason to be in this race, and would most likely finish last.

You mentioned Icabad Crane who along with Macho again were my two upset horses in the preakness who come back again!

Im trying to find a way to maximize my profit potential, and maybe a good place wager is a good idea.... I had a good size Tri Ticket for the Preakness and with Big Brown winning didnt pay much and I didnt have it, but again if I go bigger ticket and he wins then its not going to pay.

FlyinLate

My Tri's and Supers for the belmont

Big Brown
Tale of Ekati, Casino Drive
Tale of Ekati, Casino Drive, Denis of Cork, Icabad Crane
(Same here for super)

Big Brown is simply the best horse in the race. Tale of Ekati and Casino Drive were both bred to love this distance. I think talent wise Denis of Cork and Icabad Crane fall in the next tier.

Duckgawd

I wanted to talk a little bit about Ready's Echo, This will be his 5th start of his life, and in each one of his races this horse has improved in Beyer Speed number, and with each race he went longer, started with 5 1/2, then 7, then 1 1/16th and then 1 1/8th with his highest beeing 92, If he can improve again, does he make it into the 100's? Can this horse keep on improving with each race and added distance? If he can run in the 100's should be right there at the end!

What you guys think about this angle?

(Again not saying he can beat big brown, but for a good price to be 2nd?)

fbwinners

Great points and I agree with you in your opinion on Redys' Echo. I can also give you one other hint on this horse take it with a grain of salt just info someone passed onto me. This person knows Eoin Harty and Harty told him to watch out for this colt way back as when he broke his maiden he had to make up tremendous ground in a 5.5 f race and won with authority that day and says the further they go the better this one will be. Harty is thinking this one is going to run huge tomorrow and I will have him on my ticket along with you.

fbwinners

If you’re looking for an angle on a big longshot, Ready’s Echo displaced his palate in his last start, the Peter Pan (gr. II), and has since had a myectomy to correct the problem. He’s a strong closer with a ton of stamina in his female family, and while he still hasn’t been tested for class, he could be an interesting horse to include in the exotics.

Duckgawd

Last topic I'm going to bring up about the Belmont:

Big Brown running without Steriods!

I was listening to local sports radio and they were talking about Big Brown and that he was not giving and wont be getting his usual monthly steriod shot, I dont know if it has to do with Eight Belles or just all the negative hype around horse racing lately. But will this have any effect on Big Brown during the running of the Belmont?

What are your guys thoughts?