Both Pix last week paid off in gimmicks and given the conditions that was a pretty good result. At Belmont Rush to Honor had a very bizarre trip (read the chart) but still closed strongly late in the mud to complete the trifecta. At Churchill all three BreezeFigs colts Pix figured in the super and two in the trifecta and one of them, Glacial, won and paid $16.

One can make a case the final outcome of the Kentucky Derby, in part, came down to trips with many of the leading candidates having their chances compromised by unlucky runs of varying degrees. Many of those horses will meet again Saturday in the Belmont Stakes. Primary among that group is KNOWN AGENDA, who was completely eliminated from contention after the opening furlong of the Derby when put in tight quarters along the rail and forced to steady back to near the rear of the field in a race ultimately dominated by horses racing on or close to the lead.

Other than his undefeated record, ESSENTIAL QUALITY lost little when beaten only a length in the Kentucky Derby. He took a good bump leaving the gate, and that might have cost him a bit of early position. After that, he raced wide around both turns and was still punching on in the stretch. One of his best assets is his tactical speed, and he shouldn’t be too far off the leaders when the real racing begins. Fresh after skipping the Preakness, he’s worked swiftly coming into this race.

At the three-sixteenths pole of the Kentucky Derby, you’d have to have made HOT ROD CHARLIE the favorite. There had been a spot of early trouble going past the stands the first time, but jockey Flavien Prat eased Hot Rod Charlie into decent position and for the race’s last mile gave his mount a perfect trip. He saved ground around the far turn, popped outside for his final charge, and looked like he was going best – until he wasn’t.

The consistent and reliable HOT ROD CHARLIE, one of five legitimate contenders in the 2021 Belmont Stakes, gets the call based on improving form, established class, and the likelihood of a forwardly placed trip among the first three pacesetters/pressers.

Each start by Hot Rod Charlie has been better than the start before, including his perfect-trip third in the Kentucky Derby. He saved ground just off the pace, angled out, and was third across the wire. No excuses, none needed. He ran well and got beat.

HOT ROD CHARLIE was a big surprise in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile when nearly pulling off a 94-1 upset, and he arguably ran as well as eventual winner ESSENTIAL QUALITY in that race while making the first move into a wicked pace. He has since proven that effort was no fluke with a convincing win in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, followed by a close third in the Kentucky Derby – where he finished just ahead of Essential Quality.

RACE 6: COLORMEPAZZI (#6)

Belmont | Race 2 | Post Time 3:38 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

RACE 2: GAILHORSEWIND (#3)

MUNNY PENNY

Trainer: Walther Solis

Last race: May 28, race 1

Finish: 1^st by 5 1/2

Beyer: 63

Second-start 2-year-old flashed improved speed to crush Cal-bred maidens with energy in reserve. Munnings filly will be a factor in Del Mar summer stakes for Cal-bred juveniles.