Belmont Stakes breakdown By Ed McNamara Special to ESPN.com 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. |
||||
ESPN.com: Help | Advertiser Info | Contact Us | Tools | Site Map | Jobs at ESPN.com Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. |
HORSE RACING on ESPN.com |