The Grade I Belmont Stakes

[TJ]

Here are the official entries, post positions and past performances for the Belmont Stakes. They expect a decent rain tonight Wednesday, into Thursday afternoon. Though two beautiful days expected Friday And Saturday, could insure a fast track for California Chrome's Triple Crown bid on Saturday. TJ

11th Race. (C11) Approx Post 6:52PM STAKES
THE BELMONT STAKES Grade I - $1,500,000
Purse $1,500,000 (Up to $60,000 NYSBFOA) One Mile And One Half FOR THREE YEAR OLDS.

1 Medal Count(L) B.c.3 126 Albarado, R Spendthrift Farm Romans, Dale
2 California Chrome(L) Ch.c.3 126 Espinoza, V Martin, P Sherman, Art
3 Matterhorn(L) B.c.3 126 Bravo, J Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners Pletcher, Todd
4 Commanding Curve(L) B.r.3 126 Bridgmohan, S West Point Thoroughbreds Stewart, Dallas
5 Ride On Curlin(L) B.c.3 126 Velazquez, J Dougherty, D Gowan, William
6 Matuszak(L) Dk B/ Br.c.3 126 Smith, M Prussin, G Mott, William
7 Samraat(L) Dk B/ Br.c.3 126 Ortiz, J My Meadowview Farms Violette, Jr., Richard
8 Commissioner(L) B.c.3 126 Castellano, J WinStar Farm Pletcher, Todd
9 Wicked Strong(L) B.c.3 126 Maragh, R Centennial Farms Jerkens, James
10 General a Rod(L) Dk B/ Br.c.3 126 Napravnik, R Skychai Racing Maker, Michael
11 Tonalist(L) B.c.3 126 Rosario, J Evans, R Clement, Christophe

http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewe ... m3=1462164

[jagger]

Interesting that Chrome has the worst Sire and Broodmare Sire AWD.

[Cree]

It's really hard to go against Chrome, but *if* he doesn't win, who do you think will take it? I am so skeptical a horse can win the TC. I'd love to see it, but I am cautious.

The two I like as upset winners are Wicked Strong and Commissioner.

[jagger]

Tonalist and Commanding Curve for me.

[geowarrior]

Medal Count disappointed me in the Derby, but he does have the pedigree to go long.

[wilf]

Everyone loves the story of Chrome and like several pretenders before him would like to see him get the job done but it is a tough job and only truly great horses have won it before, he is not a truly great horse. The Preakness was an awful field and while I do think that this crop like several in the past ten years is very average there are a couple that look like they may upset him even though he can control the race. I really hope that I am wrong.

[DDT]

wilf

Tell me what was so great about Sir Barton, Gallant Fox or Omaha, I really would like to know.

DDT

[TJ]

Some ex-jocks and well known trainers, choose their favorite to win the Belmont Stakes. TJ
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3x7CYHD ... tube_gdata

[diomed]

Everyone loves the story of Chrome and like several pretenders before him would like to see him get the job done but it is a tough job and only truly great horses have won it before, he is not a truly great horse.

This reminds me of the attitude about Slew before his Belmont. By a young sire out of a young dam who was by a damsire that was not used too often. Lack of true stats. Many said Slew was just a speed horse and he truly wasn't given credit until his 4yo year. I am not saying Chrome will win but he has gained 20lbs of weight in the last 3 weeks, appears to love the track, had a great work. To me it looks like he is sitting on another monster race. The only way he loses is if somebody else is in this race is more than a monster. I have my doubts.

[madelyn]

TJ I hope you have a lovely time (you ARE going in person?) I have always said that the pedigree does not run the race, the horse in front of you does. Maybe CC is just that freak who was raised right, trained well and could do just about anything at peak fitness. Maybe there is a dark horse, though, who has trained better for the Big Sandy mile and a half who will get to the wire first. In that case, the old expression "Here Be Monsters" comes to mind. As for me I am off to the training center to rush thru my horses' rubdowns and legs, drop off hay and grain, and get back in time to go to Churchill to watch the race. It's a beautiful day and I need some R and R.

[TJ]

Win, lose or draw, California Chrome has done more for horse racing then any other horse I've seen since Secretariat. He's taken on the best of his generation and did what he had to do to win...maybe he isn't beating anyone special, but who knows for sure, that is the case? I don't think there has ever been more interest in our sport, since that amazing golden era of horse racing. All major arteries leading to Belmont Park are at a standstill as the fans are flowing into the Park....that speaks volumes.
We have some ordinary folks that are living the dream...they and their uncommon, unlikely little horse, are going for the Triple Crown. In that respect alone, they have done so much all ready for racing. They don't even have to win the Triple Crown. He's certainly not a lock and taking the stand that he won't win today, well the odds are certainly in your favor going such an uncommon distance....but if he jumps up and wins the Belmont Stakes, California Chrome would have single-handedly created what the industry couldn't do in 4 decades....and I don't mean just winning the Triple Crown. California Chrome is, in my eyes, a champion all ready for all he's done for this declining sport. TJ

[Pan Zareta]

Everyone loves the story of Chrome and like several pretenders before him would like to see him get the job done but it is a tough job and only truly great horses have won it before, he is not a truly great horse.

This reminds me of the attitude about Slew before his Belmont. By a young sire out of a young dam who was by a damsire that was not used too often. Lack of true stats. Many said Slew was just a speed horse and he truly wasn't given credit until his 4yo year.

I agree and would note the similarities in Slew and Chrome's breeding, both conservatively inbred to highly successful sires best known for brilliant speed but proven capable of siring GSW at classic distance, both out of dams not so conservatively inbred to full or 3/4 sibs from La Troienne's clan.

On paper(pedigree), Chrome might receive a bit more respect if he had, as Slew did, proven ability at >10f closer than 3d gen but then he's blissfully unaware of the prognostications and so far has been distinctly unpredictable by most such traditional meters for predicting elite success at classic distance.

[Cree]

I think CC is much like Smarty Jones, in regards to the general public's attention. People I know who know nothing about racing are talking about him. Let's hope he delivers, it will be very exciting if he does.

[bdw0617]

California Chrome is much, much, much better than Smarty Jones was, and I was a big smarty jones fan

[Cree]

I wasn't comparing their abilities, I was talking about the popularity of the horses. People went BONKERS for Smarty Jones.