Invisible
Ink
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
The son and grandson of Belmont Stakes winners (Thunder Gulch, Conquistador
Cielo) is winless beyond 1 1/16 miles, and he may be overrated because
he sneaked up to be a non-threatening second in the Kentucky Derby. The
five-week layoff is a concern, and he's 0-for-3 in graded stakes. Make
him beat you.
Balto Star
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Chris McCarron
He could be alone on the lead, always a good place to be. His problems
are his distance-challenged pedigree and his company lines. He's never
defeated a top-class field, and not running since the Derby is a negative.
He's likely to lead to midway on the far turn before giving it up.
Dollar Bill
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Jockey: Pat Day
The sucker horse of this 3-year-old generation is working well, as
usual, and I expect Mr. Trouble will be overbet again. Has found traffic
problems in his past four races for Day, and he's another one that's never
won a race that mattered. Luckless plodder is overdue for a good trip,
his backers say. Yeah, and the Red Sox are overdue to win the World Series.
An overrated underlay.
Thunder Blitz
Trainer: Joe Orseno
Jockey: Jerry Bailey
Orseno proved last year that he could win a classic off a layoff when
his Red Bullet took the Preakness after passing the Derby. This colt, unfortunately,
isn't nearly as talented. His career moment was routing a lousy field in
the Flamingo Stakes at Hialeah. Training well, and should handle 1 1/2
miles better than many of his rivals. First time with Bailey will hurt
the price. May fit underneath in exotics if one or two of the favorites
don't fire.
Monarchos
Trainer: John Ward
Jockey: Jorge Chavez
The Derby winner has won four races, all on hard surfaces (three at
Gulfstream, one at Churchill Downs). Ward has admitted his colt likes firm
going, and Belmont Park's deep, sandy loam should work against him. Deep
closers often have trouble rallying strongly in the Belmont, and I'm not
sure he wants to go beyond 1 1/4 miles. I had him in the Derby future book,
so he's been a good friend to me. This time, I'm throwing him out.
Buckle Down Ben
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Corey Nakatani
Yeah, I know, never ignore a Lukas horse in a big race, no matter what
the odds, but I can't get enthused about this guy. Narrowly won a mile
allowance at Churchill over a nondescript field on May 27, which didn't
turn many heads. Showed speed that day, though, and could help the stalkers
if he puts a little pressure on Balto Star early. Weak speed figures, and
no shot.
Dr Greenfield
Trainer: Gerald Butler
Jockey: Edgar Prado
European shipper is the mystery beast for Team Valor, which imported
My Memoirs to run second at big odds in the '92 Belmont in his North American
debut. This colt's sire, Dr Devious, won the 1 1/2-mile Epsom Derby after
flopping in the Kentucky Derby, so distance shouldn't be a problem, but
can he handle Belmont's surface? Has run once on dirt, on an all-weather
track in England, and beat nobodies by seven lengths last November. Worth
a few stabs underneath in triples and superfectas, but no more.
A P Valentine
Trainer: Nick Zito
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Training brilliantly, 2-for-2 at Belmont and has the best 1 1/2-mile
pedigree (A.P. Indy out of an Alydar mare) in the field. Shin problems
delayed his 3-year-old debut, forcing Zito to play catch-up to make the
Kentucky Derby. Made a breakthrough when he got up for second in the Preakness,
and seems primed for another forward move. Unlike Point Given and Monarchos,
hasn't delivered his "A" race yet, and Saturday could be his turn. Big
chance.
Point Given
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Gary Stevens
Dominated the Preakness after running the only bad race of his life
in the Derby. Here's his chance to prove he's clearly the best colt in
his generation, and he may do it. Of course, he'll be less than 2-1, which
is uninviting. If he runs to his potential again, no one will beat him,
but there's no guarantee he'll take to 1 1/2 miles in a race that has eluded
his trainer four times. Dangerous chalk.
McNamara's Belmont Stakes picks
1. A P Valentine
2. Point Given
3. Thunder Blitz
4. Dollar Bill