Hard Spun & Belmont Distance
 

Anyone think he has a chance to play bridesmaid again, even with the jockey change?

I say he runs 4th at best!

I'm going to use Tiago/Rags to Riches on top of my exacta. If Rags to Riches doesn't run, I'll use I'mawildandcrazyguy.

On the bottom I'll use Tiago/Rags/Curlin/I'mawild/Slew's Tizzy

its your money and you can waste it however you would like, but I would reconsider throwing curlin out of the top position.

Typically I like to know who is actually going to be in a race before I start predicting who will finish where.

I agree. Just looking preliminarily at the field, trying to beat Curlin could be an exercise in futility. I had a feeling that the "wiseguy" idea this year was going to be to play up the Derby late also-rans. Since last year's Belmont was won by a Derby late also-ran that seems like everyone's favorite angle for this year's running. Difference being that with Hard Spun and Curlin in this year's field there is real talent. Last year's field may have been long on horses, but it was short on talent.

All in all, it's going to take a career effort from Imawildandcrazyguy or Tiago to win the Belmont while Curlin could potentially regress and still win.

NT

radical idea.

Nothing wrong with taking a look at the projected field and starting to do a little work. We know there will be 7 definites and I'm guessing Rags to Riches, so there's your field of eight.

NT

I am more excited for the Manhattan than I am for the Belmont.

Hard Spun wont win but give him 90% chance to hit the board.

As long as Gomez knows that the race is 1 1/2 miles and that Digger LOL will have no chance to hold up speed the whole way.


The bigger question is will the 9/5 favorite Curlin be able to run the distance!!!!

1 3/16 was a good distance and at 1 1/8 he looked terrible the last few yards
Plus the regression thing does not help either

I'm suspect of Curlin's ability to get 12F

So am I.

Just don' t bet like you are.

I won't be spending any money this weekend. (Maybe a small win bet on Hard Spun, but that's about it.) I'm too broke to lose any money...

I'm looking forward to seeing Hard Spun in the winner's circle.

Keep dreaming then...

Maybe you can share with me some tips on handling things post race? Seems like you've got it down to a science by now being a "drifty" fan. :D

Hard Spun will be near the front, Digger or no Digger, and fade slowly towards the end.

Mike Smith FTW!

LOL Buffy... and Slew's Tizzy has a much better shot? Come on... :D

Didn't say he (Drifty) was going to win did I? Just that I hoped and was rooting for Drifty. Head said Boboman, although look where that got me.

Honestly though, I don't think Hard Spun is going to win this one. Curlin either for that matter. Just my original thoughts. Once the PPs are up I will do my homework some more. Not writing anything in pen yet. :)

Yes. He is better rested with four weeks off since his last race. I may be wrong and I will admit it if he doesn't run well, but right now I am thinking he is going to run a big race. He is ready to take on the big boys, whether or not he can handle them is what I am anxiously awaiting.