Quick Peek into the Belmont Stakes
#10 Tacitus – Right after the Kentucky Derby (G1) ended I thought Tacitus or Game Winner would win the Belmont Stakes. Game Winner isn’t here, but Tacitus is, and I will not back off of that stance now. You have to love the breeding when it comes to him and this mile and a half distance, while the horse is simply getting better with each start. He also has five weeks between races, which is the major advantage he has over War of Will, who is his main rival in this event. The key for him will be his positioning up the back stretch. He cannot find himself too far out of it in this spot like he has in a few of his other races. The dynamics of this race should be different, which should see him in mid-pack. If he can secure that spot he will be hard to hold off down the lane.
Horses to Use in Multi Race Wagers
#8 Intrepid Heart – From the very beginning the Belmont Stakes has been the goal for Intrepid Heart. After breaking his maiden at Oaklawn Park, he then went on to win a first level allowance race at Keeneland, before finishing third in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park. In that race he seemed a bit lazy, only running in spots, which is why trainer Todd Pletcher will put the blinkers on him today. Those should help him tremendously, while there is no doubt he has the pedigree to win the Belmont. Look for him to rebound from a lack-luster effort in the Peter Pan with a stronger performance today.
#9 War of Will – It was an amazing story to see him win the Preakness Stakes (G1) after what happened with him and Maximum Security in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Regardless of what transpired in this race, there is no doubt those two horses have created a rivalry with each other, and the world is ready to watch the rematch between the two. Today, War of Will looks to have a tactical advantage over several of his rivals, which might make him tough to run down at this grueling distance. His pedigree is going to help him out as well as he should be able to run all day long. The only question mark will be how much he has left in the tank, with this race being his third start in five weeks.
#7 Sir Winston – Trainer Mark Casse has always been high on Sir Winston; however, the colt has failed to put it all together up to this point. He struggled to off the board finishes in three straight Kentucky Derby prep races, before finding a little bit of form with a nice effort last time out in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3), where he finished a closing second. That race makes him an interesting long shot, while he has a pedigree that should be able to handle the distance. With two heavy favorites in the field you have to look at playing a couple of long shots. This horse fits the bill as being playable.