Belmont Stakes live chat with Andersen, Beer, Illman

Daily Racing Form handicappers Steve Andersen, Mike Beer, and Dan Illman participated in a live chat on Wednesday, June 6, to discuss the Belmont Stakes and I'll Have Another's bid for the Triple Crown, as well as the stakes on Belmont Park's Saturday undercard. Here are the highlights:

On I'll Have Another

DanIllman: I've narrowed it down to I'll Have Another and Paynter. Paynter will offer better value so I'll pick him on top but I'll use each with equal weight in multi-leg wagers.

SteveAndersen: My Top three selections are I'll Have Another, Paynter and Dullahan. If I'll Have Another has any sort of a bad day, Dullahan looks like a logical upsetter.

MikeBeer: I'll Have Another can be anywhere in a race; he will not be compromised no matter how the race is run

SteveAndersen: The absence of a recorded workout for I'll Have Another since the Preakness shouldn't be a concern, particularly the way he has galloped. Trainer Doug O'Neill is not a workout reliant trainer compared to other well-known names in the sport.

SteveAndersen: I'll Have Another will need to be at his best, trying this new distance. Paynter and Dullahan look dangerous.

MikeBeer: If you're playing anyone else in Belmont, you have to hope I'll Have another regresses. He's better than these horses right now. My top picks are Dullahan, I'll Have Another, Paynter. I would only use Dullahan and I'll Have Another in multi-race wagers.

DanIllman: I don't think jockey Mario Gutierrez will put I'll Have Another on the front, especially with Unstoppable U and Paynter providing targets.

[BELMONT STAKES: Past performances, video updates, contender profiles, odds]

On top challengers

DanIllman: I don't think Paynter needs the lead. He may get it, but he can rate if he has to.

SteveAndersen: In the modern era, the Kentucky Derby-to-Belmont angle has been very dangerous. That's good news for Dullahan and Union Rags. Of the Kentucky Derby runners, Dullahan is strongly preferred to Union Rags

DanIllman: I think Union Rags has natural ability, but he's yet to run that really fast race.

MikeBeer: I wonder how far Union Rags really wants to go. I am negative on him. Hope he finally gets a fair chance, though.

DanIllman: Union Rags will be ridden closer to the pace this time.

MikeBeer: Agree that Rags will be forward this time, I just don't want him in this race.

DanIllman: The rest of the field obviously has to improve in order to take I'll have Another down. That's not out of the question.

DanIllman: Ravelo's Boy and Five Sixteen look in too tough although the latter actually has an interesting long distance pedigree.

MikeBeer: Street Life is a bit overrated, and his Peter Pan close was a mirage

DanIllman: I think Street Life is an improving sort that could get a piece of this if the pace is solid.

SteveAndersen: Street Life must show a lot more. Hitting the board is possible.

MikeBeer: I just think Dullahan is the only one with a real chance to close down I'll Have Another. Agree he's likely better on turf/synth

SteveAndersen: It would be nice to see Union Rags get around a racetrack without a trouble-filled comment.

DanIllman: I wouldn't toss Street Life or My Adonis out of superfecta consideration.

Rest of race card

SteveAndersen: Justin Phillip is one to consider for the True North, especially if the pace is hot.

SteveAndersen: In the Just a Game, consider a Winter Memories-Up In Time exacta box. The California invader is better than her last.

MikeBeer: I wouldn't call Winter Memories a cinch; she is somewhat overrated, and certainly not a horse I would single

MikeBeer: I think Tapitsfly is live in the Just a Game; she has speed, and is in career form.

SteveAndersen: In the Manhattan, look at Desert Blanc. He gets in light and ran in some strong races in France last year.

MikeBeer: I love Hardened Wildcat in the Woody Stephens; finally catches a pace!

SteveAndersen: For a pick 6 single, Hierro in the Woody Stephens deserves attention. Hierro, as a stalker, should be able to overcame the rail draw.

MikeBeer: I think there is a ton of speed in the Brooklyn and want to use Not Abroad and Arthur's Tale.

SteveAndersen: If Smiling Tiger can get out of the gate, he could be a threat in the True North. Insist on value, though.

[BELMONT STAKES: Past performances, video updates, contender profiles, odds]