BELMONT STAKES 2011: Possible Entries (UPDATED)
by Matt Gardner on Jun 1, 2011 1:21 PM EDT
in Belmont Stakes
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UPDATE: I've made a couple of corrections to the list of possible Belmont Stakes entries by scratching Alternation (his connections announced a couple of days ago they would skip the Belmont to prepare for the Haskell and Travers), and adding Monzon.
ORIGINAL POST: With the two big names from this year's Triple Crown series, - Animal Kingdom and Shackleford - expected to meet-up at the Belmont Stakes on June 11th (post time 6:32 ET, TV: NBC), the third leg is shaping up to be a competitive one, even if we aren't looking at a Triple Crown winner.
Here's a look at some of the horses that could potentially find their way into the starting gate at Belmont Park in two and a half weeks.
Animal Kingdom
Shackleford
Alternation
Awesome Patriot
Brilliant Speed
Harlan's Hello
Isn't He Perfect
Master of Hounds
Monzon
Mucho Macho Man
Nehro
Prime Cut
Santiva
Stay Thirsty
Uncle Sam
Niether Astrology or Dialed In will take part in the Belmont.
Just a quick glance at the possible entries for the Belmont makes it clear that we are likely looking at another slow pace situation, which helps to alleviate some of the distance concerns on the pedigree side. There's no better way to help a horse to outrun it's pedigree than to allow it to lope along for eight or nine furlongs before demanding a lot of extra energy. The Belmont pace tends to be on the slow side anyway, but it certainly doesn't appear that we'll have anything resembling a fire drill in the opening furlongs. I think Secretariat's record will be quite safe this year.
Master of Hounds, who ran pretty well in the Derby in his first effort on dirt, would be in intriguing contender in this race. If the pace is slow, Master of Hounds probably won't have to expend too much energy in the early going and he won't find himself with too much work to do in the latter stages. With much of the betting dollars probably gravitating to Animal Kingdom, Shackleford and Nehro, Master of Hounds might be an interesting long shot play.
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I think this one is Nehro's to lose
Taking off the Preakness and coming back fresh should make the distance easier. The price might not be great, but you’re gonna cash your ticket.
If he's held his form since the Derby...
he should have an excellent shot at winning. But considering how this year’s 3yo races have unfolded week after week, who knows at this point.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on May 26, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Way off subject
but did you ever watch that documentary, Thoroughbred? What’d you think? I thought it did a good job of showing some of the good guys of racing.
I was reading some stuff on Ken and Sarah Ramsey yesterday and I’ve always liked their horses, but now I really like them after reading about what kind of owners they are.
The sport needs some more writers to cover people like the Ramsey’s and the good owners, trainers, and Jockeys. Seems like far too much we hear about Dutrow, or drug and alchol addicted jockeys etc.
Yes, I did.
I thought it was really good. The piece had a good tone throughout it – not over the top and not merely looking at the shady side of the sport (which, sadly, a lot of programs like to highlight).
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on May 26, 2011 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Where Is This Doc Available?
Now is the time boys to make a big noise.
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear, the gang's all here,
So hail West Virginia, hail.
JP You
Should be able to find it on PBS.org. The name was Thoroughbred. It was from the year Mine That Bird Won. It happened to be on my local PBS channel 2 nights before the Derby here in Northern Kentucky. I enjoyed it.
Back to the Belmont...
This is a race I’d like Mucho Macho Man as well. The grind it out style looks to be a good fit here.
I do also agree that Master of Hounds could be a value play here.
I'm a little concerned about Mucho getting the distance...
although a non-existent pace should help. Although, I like the thought of a grind it out style in this one.
Santiva interests me, as well….
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on May 27, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Shackleford
how the hell do you explain to Shackleford that he’s gotta run a lot further than he ever has to win this race? :)
Tell him, "you're gonna go SLOW early"
I wonder what the six furlong split is going to look like in this race, 1:15? 1:16? Higher?
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
Ramon
What do you think of him on Mucho Macho Man?
I like it. I like MMM in this race a lot already.
If MMM isn't having too many foot problems...
then I like it. But I don’t like how MMM can’t seem to keep a shoe on him during a race. What’s up with that?
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
Blacksmiths
as you probably saw they switched blacksmiths – so either he’s set or he’ll have 2 shoes coming off. :)
Or all four!
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Jun 1, 2011 9:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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