2014 G1 Belmont Stakes Test of a Champion

[peeptoad]

BRIS pps for Belmont probables:
http://www.brisnet.com/brisnet_promos/14BelmontProbables.pdf

[Man o Taz]

Can It Happen To California Chrome?
http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/11001291/can-happen-california-chrome-belmont-stakes

Interesting points.

I think the lesson to be learned is "don't change what you have been doing".

Don't work too fast, or too slow, and when riding the Belmont Stakes you do not need to move too soon. Patience.

California Chrome in the gate at Belmont
http://www.newsday.com/sports/horseracing/belmont-stakes/california-chrome-in-the-gate-at-belmont-1.8272237

Will California Chrome end the drought?
http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_25864238/will-california-chrome-end-crown-drought

SI:California Chrome's quest for the Triple Crown (hopefully the below link works so you do not have to watch an annoying ad)
http://si.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=California+Chrome%27s+quest+for+the+Triple+Crown+-+Horse+Racing+-+Tim+Layden+-+SI.com&urlID=528897072&action=cpt&partnerID=2356&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fmore%2Fnews%2F20140530%2Fcalifornia-chrome-selectable%2F

California Chrome co-owner the toast of Nevada
http://www.kentucky.com/2014/05/29/3264966/california-chrome-co-owner-coburn.html

Espinoza on the hot seat in the Belmont
http://sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=horse/writers/upthebackstretch/archive/agriss_05_28_2014.htm

[Man o Taz]

Me too!!!

Matterhorn - This Tapit son is the latest to be added to the list of potential starters.

California Chrome
Candy Boy
Commanding Curve
Commissioner
Intense Holiday - too bad. Really was looking forward to see him.
Kid Cruz
Matterhorn - the newest potential entry this son of Tapit was 4th in the G2 Peter Pan Stakes.
Matuszak
Medal Count
Ride On Curlin
Ring Weekend
Samraat
Social Inclusion
Tonalist
Wicked Strong

12 possible entries.

Well, if this is the field I am going to do a combination of my Derby and Preakness picks.

Derby Picks
California Chrome
Wicked Strong
Ride On Curlin
Commanding Curve

Preakness Picks
California Chrome
Ride On Curlin
Kid Cruz
General a Rod

Belmont Picks
California Chrome
Wicked Strong
Commissioner
Kid Cruz

I believed in Commanding Curve for the Kentucky Derby, but for some reason I do not think he is as strong a choice for the Belmont Stakes. I think he would have been a better fit for the race if he had trained more at Belmont Park. Churchill and Belmont are two different race tracks. I don't know who the last Belmont Stakes winner was who prepped at Churchill Downs for the race was, but I cannot imagine there are many (I thought maybe Sarava or Drosselmeyer) so Commanding Curve may prove me wrong. No doubt he had a sharp work out at Churchill just like California Chrome did this weekend, but one was over the surface he'll be racing over and the other was over the quirky Churchill surface.

I think Commissioner is a stronger choice given his effort in the Peter Pan Stakes.

I am giving Kid Cruz another chance since he just did not fire in the Preakness.

[Man o Taz]

An Impressive Workout By California Chrome Electrifies Belmont Park
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/sports/an-impressive-workout-by-california-chrome-electrifies-belmont-park.html?_r=0

Chrome Visits The Paddock
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/05/30/california-chrome-visits-paddock-at-belmont-timed-workout-saturday/

Will Wet Track Derail California Chrome
http://www.nj.com/horse-racing/index.ssf/2014/05/belmont_stakes_2014_will_wet_track_derail_california_chromes_triple_crown_bid.html

California Chrome handles the wet track at Belmont just fine
http://www.drf.com/news/california-chrome-handles-wet-belmont-track-just-fine

[Man o Taz]

It seems that Social Inclusion's gate issues are continuing.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/horseracing/belmont-stakes/social-exclusion-inclusion-s-connections-might-not-enter-belmont-1.8306424

Again, I understand the excitement the connections have with shepherding a top three year old through the stakes calendar, but I continue to believe that it is a mistake to race SI on Belmont Stakes Day.

They should find a quieter place for him.

Thirteen Reasons why California Chrome wins the Triple Crown
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/horses/2014/06/02/california-chrome-triple-crown-belmont-kentucky-derby-victor-espinoza-art-sherman/9865321/

In California Chrome's Barn, a Hopeful Network of Relative Strangers
By JOE DRAPE JUNE 3, 2014
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/04/sports/in-california-chromes-belmont-stakes-barn-a-hopeful-network-of-relative-strangers.html?_r=0

[Man o Taz]

Well, if this is the field I am going to do a combination of my Derby and Preakness picks.

Derby Picks
California Chrome
Wicked Strong
Ride On Curlin
Commanding Curve

Preakness Picks
California Chrome
Ride On Curlin
Kid Cruz
General a Rod

Belmont Picks
California Chrome
Wicked Strong
Commissioner
Kid Cruz

I believed in Commanding Curve for the Kentucky Derby, but for some reason I do not think he is as strong a choice for the Belmont Stakes. I think he would have been a better fit for the race if he had trained more at Belmont Park. Churchill and Belmont are two different race tracks. I don't know who the last Belmont Stakes winner was who prepped at Churchill Downs for the race was, but I cannot imagine there are many (I thought maybe Sarava or Drosselmeyer) so Commanding Curve may prove me wrong. No doubt he had a sharp work out at Churchill just like California Chrome did this weekend, but one was over the surface he'll be racing over and the other was over the quirky Churchill surface.

I think Commissioner is a stronger choice given his effort in the Peter Pan Stakes.

I am giving Kid Cruz another chance since he just did not fire in the Preakness.

Picks stand even with the addition of General a Rod

California Chrome
Candy Boy
Commanding Curve
Commissioner
General a Rod
Intense Holiday
Kid Cruz
Matterhorn
Matuszak
Medal Count
Ride On Curlin
Ring Weekend
Samraat
Social Inclusion
Tonalist
Wicked Strong

Hopefully Social Inclusion will follow his connection's thoughts yesterday and opt for the Woody Stephens...

The Dark Report from Horse Racing Nation
http://www.horseracingnation.com/blogs/Chicago/The_Dark_Report_June_1_2014_123

[Man o Taz]

http://www.belmontstakes.com/livestream/

Belmont Stakes Post Position Draw Broadcast On MSG Streamed Live Online
Story by: Dan Silver
Source: NYRA.com

In addition to the coverage provided by the MSG television network, video of Wednesday's post position draw for the 143rd running of the June 11, Grade 1 Belmont Stakes will be streamed live on BelmontStakes.com at the following link: http://www.belmontstakes.com/livestream/

The MSG broadcast, hosted by NYRA TV's Jason Blewitt and with contributions from Eric Donovan, Richard Migliore, and Maggie Wolfendale, will run from 11-11:30 a.m. EDT. It will include interviews conducted by NYRA TV's Andy Serling with connections of the Belmont Stakes contenders, and MSG Plus will replay the show at 1 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. (June 9).

In addition to the live stream of the post position draw, BelmontStakes.com features news stories, contender profiles, embedded videos, pictures, podcasts, historical information, and blogs. The latest Belmont Stakes news is available through the official Belmont Stakes Twitter feed, available at Twitter.com/BelmontStakes.

[Delamont]

 

...for the heads-up!

[Man o Taz]

They're doing other stakes now...

How California Chrome's Owners Beat A Million Dollar System
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/how-california-chrome-s-owners-beat-a-million-dollar-system-with--8-000-220656323.html

[Man o Taz]

Race 11 - Belmont S. (Grade I)

Purse $1,500,000. For Three Year Olds. By subscription of $600 each, to accompany the nomination, if made on or before January 25, 2014, or $6,000, if made on or before March 22, 2014. At any time prior to the closing time of entries, horses may be nominated to The Belmont Stakes upon payment of a supplementary fee of $75,000 to the New York Racing Association, Inc. $15,000 to pass the entry box and $15,000 additional to start. All entrants will be required to pay entry and starting fees; but no fees, supplemental or otherwise shall be added to the purse. The purse to be divided $800,000 to the winner, $280,000 to second, $150,000 to third, $100,000 to fourth, $60,000 to fifth, $45,000 to sixth, $35,000 to seventh and $30,000 to eighth. Colts and Geldings, 126 Lbs.; Fillies, 121 Lbs. The winning owner will be presented with the August Belmont Memorial Cup to be retained for one year as well as a trophy for permanent possession and trophies to the winning trainer and jockey. One And One Half Miles.

PP   Horse   Virtual Stable   A/S   Med   Jockey   Wgt   Trainer
1   Medal Count (KY)      3/C   L   R Albarado   126   D L Romans
2   California Chrome (CA)   3/C   L   V Espinoza   126   A Sherman
3   Matterhorn (KY)      3/C   L   J Bravo           126   T A Pletcher
4   Commanding Curve (KY)   3/R   L   S Bridgmohan   126   D Stewart
5   Ride On Curlin (KY)      3/C   L   J R Velazquez   126   W G Gowan
6   Matuszak (KY)              3/C   L   M E Smith           126   W I Mott
7   Samraat (NY)              3/C   L   J L Ortiz           126   R A Violette, Jr.
8   Commissioner (KY)      3/C   L   J Castellano   126   T A Pletcher
9   Wicked Strong (KY)      3/C   L   R Maragh           126   J A Jerkens
10   General a Rod (KY)      3/C   L   R Napravnik   126   M J Maker
11   Tonalist (KY)              3/C   L   J Rosario           126   C Clement

Owners: 1 - Spendthrift Farm LLC ; 2 - Coburn, Steven and Martin, Perry ; 3 - Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Town and Country Farms, Corp. ; 4 - West Point Thoroughbreds ; 5 - Dougherty, Daniel, J. ; 6 - Prussin, George, J. ; 7 - My Meadowview Farm ; 8 - WinStar Farm LLC ; 9 - Centennial Farms ; 10 - Skychai Racing LLC and Starlight Racing ; 11 - Evans, Robert, S.

Breeders: 1 - Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC; 2 - Perry Martin & Steve Coburn; 3 - Town & Country Farm Corp; 4 - T. F. VanMeter; 5 - G. Watts Humphrey Jr. & Louise IrelandHumphrey Revocable Trust - 2008; 6 - Sha-Li Leasing Associates, Inc.; 7 - My Meadowview LLC; 8 - WinStar Farm, LLC; 9 - William F. Lynn; 10 - Hare Forest Farm; 11 - Woodslane Farm

[Man o Taz]

Well, if this is the field I am going to do a combination of my Derby and Preakness picks.

Derby Picks
California Chrome
Wicked Strong
Ride On Curlin
Commanding Curve

Preakness Picks
California Chrome
Ride On Curlin
Kid Cruz
General a Rod

Belmont Picks
California Chrome
Wicked Strong
Commissioner
Kid Cruz

I believed in Commanding Curve for the Kentucky Derby, but for some reason I do not think he is as strong a choice for the Belmont Stakes. I think he would have been a better fit for the race if he had trained more at Belmont Park. Churchill and Belmont are two different race tracks. I don't know who the last Belmont Stakes winner was who prepped at Churchill Downs for the race was, but I cannot imagine there are many (I thought maybe Sarava or Drosselmeyer) so Commanding Curve may prove me wrong. No doubt he had a sharp work out at Churchill just like California Chrome did this weekend, but one was over the surface he'll be racing over and the other was over the quirky Churchill surface.

I think Commissioner is a stronger choice given his effort in the Peter Pan Stakes.

I am giving Kid Cruz another chance since he just did not fire in the Preakness.

Kid Cruz is out so I am picking Tonalist even though I heard his last work was not the greatest over a dry fast track which is likely to be what he faces on Saturday.

[Man o Taz]

California Chrome follows Secretariat's Triple Crown Path...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2014/06/04/california-chrome-follows-secretariats-triple-crown-path-in-belmont-draw/

California Chrome's Breeding Value Might Be Much Less Than Owner's Expect
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/othersports/california-chromes-value-might-be-much-less-than-the-30-million-his-trainer-and-owners-expect/2014/06/02/19163db0-ea54-11e3-b98c-72cef4a00499_story.html

Here goes Mr. Beyer again trying to gin up some controversy suggesting California Chrome is not worth the $30 million that his owners suggested after the Preakness or the $50 million paid for Fusaichi Pegasus...

Though I agree with the latter, I would think that someone will pay $40-50 million if he wins the Triple Crown - and if the US is not careful that someone may be from Japan...

Granted California Chrome's immediate pedigree may not be as rich as Honor Code or Commissioner. However, he is not far removed from a good pedigree on the top and bottom as others have pointed out.

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2014/05/23/haskin-belmont-pedigrees-befuddling.aspx

On his dam's side he is a great grandson of Mr. Prospector and a great, great grandson of Danzig.

I think Mr. Beyer if we were to wager on what fee California Chrome would be purchased for for breeding...it would come in higher than what Mr. Beyer expects.

http://www.drf.com/news/kentucky-derby-win-california-chrome-casts-pedigree-new-light

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/05/31/family-ties-does-california-chrome-have-enough/slsVnykSOkMqB2mpL61qXM/story.html

Mr. Beyer often seems slow to catch on...

[The Tin Man]

I've not followed who Beyer preferred in the Derby and the Preakness, but if I know him ... it wasn't California Chrome in either and it won't be CC in The Belmont either ...

I think we ALL know where he's coming from when he writes ... and it's not from objectivity ... just his usual East Coast bias BS ... His point of view means nothing when it comes to giving real value or credit to a West Coast horse. In fact, the less credit he gives to a top performing West Coaster ... the better that horse likely is.

I, personally, am very pro-West Coast and make no bones about it ... but when it comes to picking a race, I'm picking the horse I honestly think will win regardless of coast ... I thought Rachel was one of the most over-rated horses I'd ever seen(of top performers, that is), but when it came to her Preakness I SINGLED her on top of my Superfecta and got paid very handsomely for doing so.

I dropped MY bias and I got paid. I NEVER handicap from a West Coast bias standpoint. I personally support and love horses from one though ... but don't pick them from one.

Beyer would do well top drop his bias at the door when it comes to his public missives. Not doing so in such obvious situations like CC and Zenyatta just makes him continue to look like the fool he is.

[Raven]

I've not followed who Beyer preferred in the Derby and the Preakness, but if I know him ... it wasn't California Chrome in either and it won't be CC in The Belmont either ...

I think we ALL know where he's coming from when he writes ... and it's not from objectivity ... just his usual East Coast bias BS ... His point of view means nothing when it comes to giving real value or credit to a West Coast horse. In fact, the less credit he gives to a top performing West Coaster ... the better that horse likely is.

I, personally, am very pro-West Coast and make no bones about it ... but when it comes to picking a race, I'm picking the horse I honestly think will win regardless of coast ... I thought Rachel was one of the most over-rated horses I'd ever seen(of top performers, that is), but when it came to her Preakness I SINGLED her on top of my Superfecta and got paid very handsomely for doing so.

I dropped MY bias and I got paid. I NEVER handicap from a West Coast bias standpoint. I personally support and love horses from one though ... but don't pick them from one.

Beyer would do well top drop his bias at the door when it comes to his public missives. Not doing so in such obvious situations like CC and Zenyatta just makes him continue to look like the fool he is.

Beyer is a horse player first, and he posts his picks like you and i do!! When you and i drop our bias, then we can ask him to drop his!!!
Dave,  You know i'm an east coast guy!

Spiro

[Man o Taz]

The irony is that Mr. Beyer will be picking pedigree over Beyer Speed Figure if he goes against California Chrome since he is far and away the fastest horse.

I understand he may be picking based on being a handicapper first, but from  my perspective whether he writes disisng an East coast horse or a West coast horse finding an angle to write about that he himself does not believe - but he picks it to just suggest a controversy that is not really there.

His columns have not all been anti-Chrome...

In Belmont Stakes, place your sentiments on California Chrome; put your money elsewhere
Smart handicappers will place their sentiments on California Chrome but put their Belmont wagers elsewhere.
June 6, 2014

American thoroughbreds are no longer bred to go the distance in the Belmont Stakes
(The Washington Post, June 3, 2014; 7:52 AM)

For California Chrome, a tactically brilliant Preakness triumph
(The Washington Post, May 17, 2014; 9:00 PM)

Sluggish Derby field makes projecting Preakness winners a challenge
(The Washington Post, May 15, 2014; 9:57 AM)

California Chrome's Kentucky Derby victory was aesthetically pleasing, historically slow
(The Washington Post, May 4, 2014; 1:30 PM)

Odds are against California Chrome win
http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/05/4159996/odds-are-against-california-chromes.html

Here's what California Chrome can earn as stud fees (or what he can't earn - really they say it will be less than $300,000 but not what it might actually be)
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-much-of-a-stud-is-california-chrome-2014-06-05

True Test of a Champion
http://espn.go.com/espn/print?id=11035946&type=story