Posted on 6/7/2007 6:52:08 PM

Horse Betting - NOTHING IS OWED AT BELMONT

By Brian Mulligan

Before we get into a statistical look at the contenders in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, one thing should be set straight, and it’s that Street Sense and his connections had no obligation to run in this race and the notion that they deprived the sport is ridiculous.

Some scribes that have a forum have written that Street Sense not running in the Belmont is ‘the biggest blow to thoroughbred racing’ and that is it worse than Barbaro breaking down.

 

The connections of the Kentucky Derby winner have an obligation only to their horse and to their goals. Nobody was around talking about obligation when trainer Carl Nafzger was up at 3:30 in the morning to ready his charge for his motions during his 2-year-old championship year, and nobody was around when people were knocking the game plan coming up to the Derby.

The reality is that winning the Belmont will not enhance Street Sense’s stud potential and a more prudent approach is the one that is now mapped out with the Travers and the Breeders’ Cup Classic being the long-term goals.

And with the breeding rights already sold to Darley Stud for Street Sense and Hard Spun, that fact could have played heavily into any decision.

Some fans, and scribes, think that because they buy a ticket to go to the track, they are entitled to call the shots and the schedules of the runners.

That’s like saying because you go to a football game, you are entitled to map out the game plan against the Green Bay Packers. That thinking is upside down, to say the least.

Now, for the race.

Can Curlin put another win together Saturday? Sure, he can, but he will not be value and you don’t really know how much the incredible Preakness Stakes run took out of him. Hard Spun gets a new rider in Garrett Gomez after Mario Pino made what may have been a premature move in Baltimore, and few in America are riding better than Gomez of late.

Tiago has the style that suggests he’ll run all day; it’s a matter if he is good enough, as he won a weak Santa Anita Derby and was not exactly flattered when the place horse that day returned to run 6th in the Preakneess.

Imawildandcrazyguy is a nice hard-knocking runner that could again get a slice in New York since he runs in the later rounds.

Slew’s Tizzy has two Polytrack scores and a sloppy win in the Lone Star Derby on his slate. He has the positional speed to get first run on any of the deep closers.

One of the more interesting runners, if she goes, is Rags to Riches. She is clearly the best sophomore filly in America, had trouble in her only loss, and has proven she can overcome bad trips and still excel and is bred to get the distance.

Interestingly, the first Belmont Stakes ever, in 1867, was won by the filly Ruthless. Tanya in 1905 became the next and final miss to take the third jewel.

 

Rags to Riches sire A. P. Indy won the Belmont, his sire Seattle Slew won the Belmont and also sired two Belmont winners. And Riches broodmare sire was responsible for a Belmont winner.

Factor in equation that Jazil, a half brother to Riches, won last year’s Belmont, and it all seems to come together.

Here’s how the race may unfold. Hard Spun looms commanding speed, but considering what happened in the Preakness, look for Gomez to try to get him to relax. Curlin will be closer up early at the longer trip and would figure Slew’s Tizzy to also be in the first flight.

Rags to Riches will head the second flight with Imawildandcrazyguy and Tiago just ahead of C P West.

At the top of the lane Hard Spun and Curlin will throw down. Curlin will be on his outside and appear to be headed for victory but a funny thing happens on the way to the bank. And that’s Rags to Riches unleashing a furious rally wide bid down the middle of the track to nail the Preakness hero.

Value will be there, and Ladies Day will be in full view.

Keep checking the Locker Room all through the Triple Crown season, as we will cover the trainers, horses and jockeys in each race. You can get your early Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park bets in now in the BetUS sportsbook in the Future / props section, under Horse Futures: 2007 Belmont Stakes.