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Aptitude deemed Belmont Stakes favorite by default

Belmont Stakes post positions

McNamara: Oh, what could have been



Belmont Stakes breakdown


Eddie Mac at the Track picks:
Win: Globalize
Place: Aptitude
Show: Unshaded
Fourth: Wheelaway

Appearing Now | 30-1 | Post: 1
Trainer: Juan Ortiz
Jockey: Mike Luzzi
Eddie Mac says: His three wins have been over New York-breds, and in his only race against top 3-year-olds he was nowhere in the Wood Memorial. No chance.

Postponed | 6-1 | Post: 2
Trainer: Scotty Schulhofer
Jockey: Edgar Prado
Eddie Mac says: Won the Peter Pan because of a brilliant ride by Prado, who took him up the inside when it opened wide in midstretch. Picks up 13 pounds and will be overbet because Schulhofer has won two Belmonts, including last year's, with longshots. I'll avoid him.

Commendable | 20-1 | Post: 3
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Pat Day
Eddie Mac says: A big-time disappointment who's lost six straight since winning his debut in August. Has speed and should be on or near the lead for a mile before backpedaling through the field.

Unshaded | 5-1 | Post: 4
Trainer: Carl Nafzger
Jockey: Shane Sellers
Eddie Mac says: Late-blooming gelding was supplemented for $100,000 after he worked well and Fusaichi Pegasus was pulled out. Has the pedigree (Unbridled) and will be running late. Could win if the fractions are reasonable. Contender.

Aptitude | 8-5 | Post: 5
Trainer: Bobby Frankel
Jockey: Alex Solis
Eddie Mac says: The most likely winner, but why take 8-5 or less on a horse who is 1-for-6 lifetime and winless beyond 1 1/16 miles? He's been a tease in big races, finishing well but never threatening. Might do that again. I'll try to beat him.

Globalize | 20-1 | Post: 6
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Jockey: Mike Smith
Eddie Mac says: Made a nice move in the Peter Pan before fading to third. Speed figures aren't impressive but tactical speed should give him first run on the many closers. Never been worse than fourth and has run well in three Triple Crown preps. Not impossible, and at 20-1, a big overlay. Contender.

Curule | 15-1 | Post: 7
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Jockey: Jerry Bailey
Eddie Mac says: Dubai-based colt has been working brilliantly at Belmont and has impressed Bailey, whose presence will depress the odds somewhat. Lack of preparation gave him no chance in the Derby, where he did well to be seventh. Live longshot.

Impeachment | 9-2 | Post: 8
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Craig Perret
Eddie Mac says: The only horse to make all three Triple Crown races, he'll be running late again. Pace may not be quick enough for deep closer, who is 1-for-8 and on a seven-race losing streak. A non-threatening third again for the show Triple Crown? Belongs underneath in exotics, but a shaky win bet.

Wheelaway | 5-1 | Post: 9
Trainer: John Kimmel
Jockey: Richard Migliore
Eddie Mac says: A buzz horse who has trained impressively at Belmont for Kimmel/Migliore, a popular New York combo that will be overplayed. I like his bloodlines (Unbridled), but wonder about the layoff since his erratic run in the Derby. Looks like an underlay.

Hugh Hefner | 50-1 | Post: 10
Trainer: Marty Jones
Jockey: Jorge Chavez
Eddie Mac says: Should be a pace factor but shouldn't be in the race. Didn't belong in the Preakness, either, where he was up the track. California-bred is 2-for-7 and winless past 7 furlongs. A throwout.

Tahkodha Hills | 30-1 | Post: 11
Trainer: Ralph Ziadie
Jockey: Eibar Coa
Eddie Mac says: Beat nobodies in the Lone Star Derby, but wasn't disgraced when fourth in the Peter Pan. Outside post won't help a mediocrity that can't stay 1 1/8 miles, never mind 1½.


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