The Haiku Handicapper: 2014 Belmont Stakes

DRF Breeding staff writer Joe Nevills analyzes the Belmont Stakes field, in post position order, in the form of Haiku; a Japanese poem of 17 syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five.

Medal Count
Distance in his blood
Dirt could be third-best surface
Forecast: Even trip

California Chrome
History beckons
For a blue collar hero
Toughest challenge yet

Matterhorn
Under new colors
Beaten by more than six lengths
In his last three starts

Commanding Curve
Derby runner-up
Must prove he’s the next Jazil
And not Golden Soul

Ride On Curlin
Showed up to each dance
With a new partner in tow
A live one each time

Matuszak
Like Incognito
Pedigree outweighs record
That fact will remain

Samraat
Local boy comes home
Never turns in a bad run
Might be past his range

Commissioner
Indy’s last hurrah
Yet to live up to the hype
But he’s bred for this

Wicked Strong
In his element
Back in the Empire State
Will be a factor

General a Rod
Fashionably late
To put his hat in the ring
A milquetoast prospect

Tonalist
Mud-drenched prep winner
Continues up the ladder
The air gets thin fast

Prediction
A hard-fighting Chrome
Is worn down by Wicked Strong
Five, eight fill super