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Daily Racing Form's Brad Free, Byron King and Jay Privman joined users for a Belmont Stakes chat on Thursday afternoon. Here are the highlights:
Brad Free: Looks like a four-horse race to me, giving Dullahan benefit of doubt. Union Rags makes it four, but the truth is I see it as a two-horse race between I’ll Have Another and Paynter.
Brad Free: I don't blame anyone for throwing out Union Rags. I am probably doing the same with synth-turf specialist Dullahan.
Jay Privman: I'm not throwing out Union Rags. I picked him.
Brad Free: My Adonis will be in the right spot. I can see him hitting the board.
Brad Free: Paynter was more highly regarded than Bodemeister at one point.
Byron King: Bourbon Courage in the Woody Stephens is the best undercard bet!
Brad Free: Undercard filled with potential. I would consider Omayad at 12-1 in Manhattan. Big U.S. debut at Hollywood Park.
[BELMONT STAKES: Past performances, video updates, contender profiles, odds]
Byron King: Yes, I like Bourbon Courage. Two sensational runs at Fair Grounds; better than he looked in the Derby Trial.
Jay Privman: My picks: Union Rags, I'll Have Another, Dullahan, in that order. Any could win.
Byron King: Sorry for picking chalk: 1. I'll Have Another, 2. Union Rags, 3. Paynter, 4. Dullahan.
Byron King: Predicting the Belmont pace is total guesswork
Brad Free: Baffert considers Bodemeister possibly distance-challenged, not so for Paynter.
Brad Free: I like and respect I'll Have Another, no knocks at all. Except for the most important: price. Making his third start in five weeks to me is the biggest challenge facing I'll Have Another.
Byron King: I'll Have Another benefits from his chief opponent, Bodemeister, not being in race. My 2 cents: these opponents not in the same league.
Brad Free: Paynter only missed by four lengths in Santa Anita Derby, his second career start.
Jay Privman: Hungry Island will give Winter Memories a battle in the Just A Game Stakes. I'd double that one.
Byron King: Brilliant Speed has strong chance in the Manhattan. Especially if Todd Pletcher's Hudson Steele regresses on short rest.
Jay Privman: Hudson Steele will be on the lead. Desert Blanc prefers to make one run.
Brad Free: Paynter can beat I'll Have Another if Paynter continues his improving pattern. Otherwise, no.
Jay Privman: But if I'll Have Another runs as good in the Belmont as he did in the first two legs, he won't lose
Brad Free: My picks: Paynter, I'll Have Another, Union Rags in that order. Paynter is fast, improving, liked his Santa Anita Derby in just his second start, value.
[BELMONT STAKES: Past performances, video updates, contender profiles, odds]
Best Bets
AQUINNAH returns to a route and she couldn't have found a much better spot as a horse who wants to be involved early, as the expected pace scenario figures to favor those runners with a little early zip and she appears to be quickest of them all out of the gate; should control the tempo, and that should lead to her running to her best figures. CHARMINGMEGAN has tactical speed and likes to win, a combination that makes her easy to like; should get first run at the top pick.
