Racetrack Lenny

Final Pre-Belmont Update

Well, this morning the forecast was for a glorious Saturday with highs in the mid-70's and just 12 hours later the forecast is for rain, heavy at time, with a high near 60. Go figure.

Purge will be sent right away from his inside post to establish a lead and try to get a half in 48 seconds or slower. Birdstone and Rock Hard Ten could be contesting the pace as well with Stewart Elliott having Smarty Jones at least 4th in the early going considering he has the outside #9 post. Royal Assault, Tap Dancer, Caiman and Eddington are all closers. Expect Eddington and Royal Assault to be closer than usual. Tap Dancer and Caiman are just outclassed. It would be a huge piece of news if either one of them finished in the money. Master David is a puzzle. He was on or near the lead in the Wood Memorial and lost to Tapit. He was forwardly placed in the Derby and finished in the bottom half. He ran in the Peter Pan and tried a new tactic- run from dead last to close. He finished 8th. So, what will be the tactic?

There are very few women and even fewer men that have paid the mortgage at 1 to 10. That's about what Smarty Jones will go off at making this a race to watch rather than bet.

I'll do a $2 Exacta with Smarty over every double digit odds horse in the field. If you really believe the exacta will be Smarty over Rock Hard Ten- take your $4.20 winnings and be happy.

If you want to waste $4 but take a real long chance- put $2 Win each on Tap Dancer and Caiman and hope every other horse jumps the rail and jumps in the Belmont infield lake. Stranger things have happened in racing.

May the horse be with you.

Catherine Detweiler went to the post at @ 7:37 PM