Belmont honors Man O War as 11 older horses try to grab G1 Glory

This race is named after horse racing’s first superstar horse, Man o’ War.  He won 20 out of 21 starts during his 2 and 3 year old seasons.  His owner Samuel Riddle bypassed running in the Kentucky Derby, but won the Preakness and the Belmont in 1920.  Retired after his 3 year old campaign due to the weight handicap format that was being used at the time.  He was inducted into the Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1957, and with Secretariat is regarded as the 2 best in our sport.  11 Red Hot older horses come here to the Belmont Turf course to pay homage and look to add a Grade 1 stakes Win to their own record by going 11 furlongs or a Mile and three eighths.  There are entries from 5 different countries and Kentucky in the field.  There will be Five geldings heading to the gate and we have 1 six year old.  We have a pretty good chance (85%) of precipitation so, an off turf will probably be in play for this race.

Now let’s take a better look at the field:

The simsters8 stable will send out this English 4-year-old scratch bred son of Frankel x Caerleon x Kris S.  Has won both career starts that were on off turfs, including last time out in the G2 Carlsbad Lessons in Italy going gate to wire.  Has won 2 of his 4 previous Graded starts.  Returning to the US after 2 races abroad and is the least experienced runner in the field with 11 starts.  I got to believe he will relish the off turf and drawing the rail only helps his chance to be in the mix at the finish here.

This 6-year-old gelding son of Point Of Entry from the mare Much Off The Cat (Storm Cat) is entered by the lschweitzer25 stable.  Has made 3 previous graded stakes starts without hitting the board.  Has no off turf experience to call upon.  Won last out in a local championship stakes putting up his top SP.  Has only covered the distance once going 12f but finished in 7^th.  Could be a wild card but I will keep looking.

Returns to US after 6 races abroad for the sweetlife barn, including the last 3 which were all Graded with a Win and a 2^nd.  This Roan 4-year-old is the son of Kitten’s Joy from the mare Descent Into Hell (Deep Impact).  Has no race experience on an off turf.  Last time out was 2^nd in the G1 Coronation Pilsner at Surrey.  Won the G3 Night At The Exbury in a field of 8 popping his top SP.  The probable off track will make him a complete question mark.  I will keep looking.

The crimeboss2 barn will saddle this 5-year-old scratch bred son of Animal Kingdom x Kingmambo x Oasis Dream.  Making first appearance in US since the 2017 Breeders Bowl Turf.  Competed in EQUINICS 2018, running 4^th in the Lex Luthor.  His last 7 races have all been G1’s.  Last time out on a yielding turf, came home 2^nd at G1 Tattersalls Gold in Ireland. The winningest horse in the field and a probable off turf will increase the chances of the ML Favorite in this one.

This Roan 5-year-old gelding is the son of Kitten’s Joy from the mare Kriegsherr (Monsun) and is from the horsechic7 stable.  Will be making first start in a G1 but has 8 prior graded races the last in the G2 Buck Dharma Handicap in January running 5^th.  Last Four have all been listed stakes with 1 2^nd and 1 3^rd.  Has only 1 off turf start and finished 5^th.  Won the G2 Flying Carpet Handicap here at Belmont in November.  Think he may need all the stars to align just right.

This 5-year-old comes in off a Victory in the Sky Turn To Black Turf Route in Oklahoma for the pointblank2 barn.  He is the son of Magician from the mare My Day In Court (Empire Maker).  Will be going to the gates in graded company for the first time.  Has made 2 starts on an off turf gaining one second.  Looks like the switch to running with the lead paid off last time will he have enough in this field is the question.

This 5-year-old English son of Oasis Dream based on the he-mare More Than A Minion, a G1 winner (Peintre Celebre).  The broohar4 barn entry has a win and a 2^nd in his 2 off turf races.  Has 3 prior graded starts but none since last June coming home 5^th in the G3 Irish Cup.  Cutting back a little here as last 3 have all been 12f allowances.  The probable off track could be the saving grace for the 2^nd broohar entry.

The 1away barn will saddle this 4-year-old Light Grey by way of France and he is the scratch bred son of Dalakhani x Danehill x Pivotal.  As a juvenile competed in the EQUINICS 2016 running 20^th in the Pet Cemetary.  Only other graded start finished 8^th in the G2 San Juan Invitational.  Won his only start on an off turf in an allowance race.  One has one race longer than 10f so question here is the length.

The aggots barn enters this 5-year-old gelding a New Zealand bred son of Savabeel,  based on the he-mare Big Bad Simster, a G3 winner (Big Brown).  Has made 4 graded starts in career but has failed to finish ITM.  Last out faded from 2^nd to end 4^th on off turf in G1 Tattersalls Gold, but won his other off turf a local Stakes last September.  Will be racing in the US for first time since his Juvenile season in 2015.  Front runner that may just be a little shy on top end speed in this one.

This 4-year-old Irish son of Galileo based on the he-mare Dread Lord, a G2 winner (Bluegrass Cat) is out of the monsterhigh2 stable.  Ran 5^th in the G2 Hanging Chad in only graded appearance.  Last out won the Creepshow Turf Endurance at Maryland.  Took him 8 tries to break his maiden but had 4 2^nd’s and 2 3^rd’s and good SP’s in all those races.  Has no off turf races to look at, so could be a complete unknown.

This 5-year-old Japanese gelding will be readied by the oldmoonfarmslox and is making only his 3^rd start of the year.  The scratch bred son of Dance In The Dark x Lawman x Tiz Now did not take well to off turf last race in the G1 San Francisco Captain Handicap, but has a win and a 2^nd in 3 career off turfs.  Last 3 starts have all been Graded Turf races in California and has 4 career graded starts.  Will be looking to close from off the pace, may need a speed duel up from to improve his chances.

MY SELECTIONS:

1- RUNNING ON EVIL – Speed demon draws the rail let them try to catch him.

4- JUST A MIRAGE – Fast, experienced and doesn’t mind the muck.

5- KITTENSHERR – Returning to Belmont where he won before.

LONGSHOT SPECIAL:

7- MINION DREAMING – The probable off turf will suit him just fine in upset bid.

Good Luck to everyone.