Belmont at the Big A | Race 2 | Post Time 1:43 p.m. (ET) I'm not trying to beat Over and Ollie (#6), who appears to be dropping back down to a realistic class level after trying the Grade 1 Forego in his last start at Saratoga. He didn't even run as badly as the result might suggest, as he had to be taken in hand early on the backstretch, losing position before getting further shuffled back. He was basically eased late. Over and Ollie had run very well to decisively win an optional claimer two back in his first start for the Rick Dutrow barn. He displayed improved early speed to lead from gate to wire that day, and figures to have another opportunity to attain forward position from this outside draw. Main pace rival Spikezone (#5) is naturally quicker in the early stages, as indicated on the TimeformUS Pace Projector. However, Spikezone has occasionally struggled to break cleanly in his recent starts, and his form has tailed off through the spring and summer. He is putting blinkers back on for this race, and his early speed did seem a little sharper with that equipment earlier this year. However, he will be racing for the high-priced claiming tag for the first time since getting claimed by Jamie Ness at the end of 2022. If Over and Ollie is tracking him from close range, I expect he'll have trouble holding off that rival. Acoustic Ave (#3) put in the best effort of his career last time at Saratoga, closing with a rush to just get up going today's six-furlong distance. He has steadily improved since getting being by Linda Rice this spring, but he was no match for Over and Ollie when he met that rival in July. He has to be respected in his current form, but I prefer his two main rivals who have a bit more tactical speed