The Belmont Stakes - An Early Preview
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Belmont Stakes 2011
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1. Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux-Dalicia, by Acatenango) 2-1
Taking nothing away from Shackleford, this one has been the best horse in the first two legs of the Triple Crown. With oodles of distance breeding on his female side, he only needs to keep his good form for trainer Graham Motion to be the one to beat and complete an outstanding 1-2-1 classic series.
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2. Nehro (Mineshaft-The Administrator, by Afleet) 7-2
Despite the fact that he only has a maiden win to his credit, he has proved to be one of the elite horses of this crop. Ran a very good Derby despite being much closer to the pace than anticipated. The five week break should do him a lot of good, and if he can handle the distance, is a big threat to get his first stakes win.
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3. Master of Hounds (Kingmambo-Silk and Scarlet, by Sadler's Wells) 6-1
The choice of many a wise guy, this Euro invader offers a lot to like. He has the advantage of being fresher than most, the benefit of stamina building European style of training, and a dam side breeding full of distance. Any improvement off a Derby that was even better than it looks on paper may win the Belmont.
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4. Shackelford (Forestry-Oatsee, by Unbridled) 6-1
A son of Foresty at 12 furlongs? Maybe. In his last three starts, he has proven to be one tough son of a gun as the field turns for home. He will not be my top pick, but who knows, if the pace is slow enough early, the Preakness champ may be tough to run down once again.
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5. Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno-Ponche de Leona, by Ponche) 10-1
I'm honestly not sure what is going on with this guy's shoes, but I believe there is more to him than we saw in the Preakness. Big lanky body may be well suited to the demands and vastness of 1 1/2 miles at Belmont. He seems to be on a fire every other race schedule, so he is due to fire on June 11.
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6. Santiva (Giant's Causeway-Slide, by Smarten) 15-1
My top longshot for the Belmont was left with no chance in the Blue Grass and then ran a good race in the Derby despite probably needing the race more than most. I like the Smarten breeding for the distance, and if he can sit a little closer to the early pace, might be up for a big surprise.
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7. Brilliant Speed (Dynaformer-Speed Succeeds, by Gone West) 20-1
After getting up late to win the Blue Grass, he came back to run a solid race in Louisville. If he did well on the dirt at Churchill Downs, it stands to reason he may do well on the dirt again in New York. Being a son of Dynaformer certainly does not hurt his chances to get the distance.
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[Will Animal Kingdom prove that he is the best three-year-old in the land with a win in the 2011 Belmont Stakes?]
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8. Stay Thirsty (Bernardini-Morovia, by Storm Bird) 25-1
I know the talent is there, I saw it many times, including the Gotham, but his last two races do not inspire too much confidence. He will need to turn things around in a big way to factor in, but a return to his home track may help the cause.
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9. Prime Cut (Bernstein-Life happened, by Stravinsky) 25-1
Nothing wrong with his recent form, but then again it does not look quite good enough to win a Triple Crown race. I have great respect for his trainer, but Considering his pedigree, I think middle distances on turf or synthetics might prove to be his game.
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10. Ruler On Ice (Roman Ruler-Champagne Glow, by Saratoga Six) 30-1
After a promising performance in New Mexico, I have a feeling that his loss to Concealed Identity in the Fedrico Tesio proved that he does not quite have what it takes to scare this Belmont crowd.
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11. Monzon (Thunder Gulch-Shadow of Mine, by Belong to Me) 40-1
I must admit that after a win this winter at Aqueduct, I thought this one may have a future. It certainly has not looked that way since. His chances to follow his daddy's footsteps, and win the Test of Champions, are slim at best.
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12. Harlan's Hello (Harlan's Holiday-Princess Hello, by Secret Hello) 50-1
The good news is that he is coming off a win over this Belmont strip in his last race. As for more good news ... there is none. He looks completely overmatched against this crowd.
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13. Isn't He Perfect (Pleasantly Perfect-Reciclada, by Rictorious) 50-1
I can only assume that his trainer is looking to double his pleasure by not just running one crazy long shot in the Belmont, but two. It could be a quite a battle between him and his stablemate to see who brings up the rear. |
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