Well we have come to the Belmont. My Derby horse has swept the first two legs and is now looking for immortality. Can he do it? I say yes. Based on pedigree and performance, I have a strong feeling that the Belmont may be his best yet.
I'll Have Another has the strongest breeding for 12 fur of all those who have gotten 2 of 3 since 1978. Stage Door Johnny, Pleasant Colony, Sea Bird and double doses of female Danzig's. His sire is providing the speed and the bottom is the stout. I much prefer the AWD of the broodmare sire to be greater than the stallion. Speed over stamina is what wins classic races. Sure there are freaks but this guy has proven himself. His gallops are all that he needs to stay fit and not get to hot(temperament). He is a very happy horse right now and O'Neill has been spot on with prepping this guy so far, so I don't doubt he is ready.
Horses of concern
Again only opinions.
Street Life- Not today. Nice animal but getting his heart jerked out when the speed does not back up is only going be another check presented for cashing with no money in the account.
Unstoppable U- Two one turn races and works are not gonna put this guy on my radar.Nice animal but seasoning is much lacking. Junior was going at him pretty hard form the 16th home at Bel in the one turn allowance and the other Belmont entry from that race Guyanna Star Dweej bounced from the maiden win. McPeek says his two are both better than Sarava, and this one will have to run a race that might not be in him yet. See Dosage below.
Union Rags- Want to see this guy run a race without excuses and with the 12 fur and returning to the scene of one of his best efforts there will be no excuses today. Put up or shut up. That being said he is training well and Johnny V picks up mount after being on board on Sunday at Fair Hill for a very speedy 59.3 for 5fur. Was Johnny V taking a test drive? Matz did not seem very happy with the fast work. Turning for home we will find out if this guy is all hype or is finally putting his problems behind him. Mid Pack finish IMHO.
Atigun- I was high on this guy in Ark and the speed has yet to come back to him. Showing speed in works and has a nice pedigree based on crosses to Secretariat family members. Dynaformer on the bottom and the broodmare sire of Istan, Bluebird is a stamina source. I like this guy to move forward here as the more seasoned of the two McPeeK horses.
Dullahan- Everybody is high on this guy as being the spoiler. I am taking a stand that he won't fill the exacta. Wrong surface and wrong distance. His owner Jerry Craawford has made some pretty crazy claims IMHO. "Belmont a Stallion making race". He did not run in the Preakness based on the stallion pedigree "pedigree says he needed a rest" Huh? His Speed figures have been good but his Bris LP figures says his deep closes are an illusion. He has only had one LP figure above 100 and that was on the turf in the Palm Beach. Playing against here.
Ravelo's Boy- Florida invader rested after tough trip in Tampa. Working forwardly but pedigree is seriously lacking quality and dosage to perform this task, see below. Don't see it here
Five Sixteen- Needed blinks to go after N1x win at 1 1/8th and got beat by a pretty normal field. Salt Lake on the bottom and I am out.
Guyanna Star Dweej- The hat is on the desk, but I am pretty comfortable that it will remain there. See absolutely no reason to run him here and he might be the best as it will take 10 horses to beat him (Joke). Next
Paynter- Sire was very classy router and dam is full sister to Tiznow. A troubled trip in the SA Derby and finished a good 4the to I'LL Have Another. His Derby trial was good but a one turn mile. The race at Pim was very good and showed he can rate at move late at 2 turns with a nice 109 LP figure. I feel that race was a nice prep for the Belmont and he looks to have more in the tank. If this guy gets the lead and is doing it easy he will have a say in the outcome.
Optimizer- Does not belong and Lukas running these types to stay in the limelight is growing old.
I' ll Have Another- I have nothing left to say about this guy but thanks for giving me a reason to be a fan again. Can't do anything to get the value on him on win as souvenir hunters will kill his price. Looking at Brooklyn\Belmont Doubles for value. and maybe a pick 3. This horse has made my whole season. Future Book, SA Derby, Ky Derby and the Preakness and have cashed them all as documented through this thread.
My Adonis- Connections took this race last year with Ruler on Ice. I think this guy might surprise on Sat. Picks up Ramon and will be clear of all trouble outside. Either that helps him or kills him. IMHO allowing him to rate and make a big late run might help. Trujillo had him so close to the pace and came up empty. Ramon might change that and let him run like he did in the Holy Bull. My longshot
My Picks
Thanks everyone for following this thread. It has been a whole lot of fun and very profitable. This will be one of the last posts as we will switch gears and start looking at 2yo's at the Spa. Can never get started to early. Any input is welcome.