Dan Illman

Let's take a look at both graded stakes at Belmont on Friday. JAIPUR STAKES (RACE 9): On April 4, 2009, Chad Brown claimed Silver Timber for $25,000 from Linda Rice.  Two starts later, Silver Timber won the Grade 3 Jaipur en route to becoming one of the top turf sprinters in the country. On February 11, 2012, Brown took BERGERAC from trainer James Baker.  In his first start for the new barn, Bergerac ran a solid second as the beaten favorite in the Grade 2 Commonwealth Stakes over the Keeneland polytrack. 

This week's HandiGambling 284 exercise is Friday's eighth race at Arlington Park, an 'n2x' allowance for Illinois-bred 3-year-olds and older.  THIS RACE HAS BEEN WASHED OFF THE TURF AND WILL BE CONTESTED AROUND A ONE-TURN MILE ON THE POLYTRACK SURFACE. REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE DECLARED THE WINNER OF THE HANDIGAMBLING EXERCISE; PLEASE CONTACT FORMBLOG@DRF.COM WITH YOUR DRF LOGIN AND PASSWORD IN ORDER TO ACCESS YOUR PRIZE PACKAGE.  PAST PERFORMANCES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PREVIOUS BLOG POST.

On paper, Monday's Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park had all the makings of an exciting showdown.  On the track, the participants didn't disappoint.

This week's HandiGambling 283 exercise is Thursday's eighth race at Prairie Meadows, an entry-level allowance for Iowa-bred three-year-olds and upward at 1 Mile and 70 Yards.  REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE DECLARED THE WINNER OF THE HANDIGAMBLING EXERCISE; PLEASE CONTACT FORMBLOG@DRF.COM WITH YOUR DRF LOGIN AND PASSWORD IN ORDER TO ACCESS YOUR PRIZE PACKAGE.  PAST PERFORMANCES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PREVIOUS BLOG POST.

I'LL HAVE ANOTHER's gritty victory in the Preakness places him one step closer to racing immortality.  Hopefully, this talented son of Flower All finally receives the respect he deserves.  Here's what I wrote about him in the latest "Performance of the Week" column for National Simulcast Weekly: I'll Have Another has made a career out of defying the critics.