The Knickerbocker G2
- Dr. Edgar- Dylan Davis/ Barclay Tagg
- There is a ton of early speed lined up today in this race and Dr. Edgar is one of them. Dr. Edgar however, seems to need the lead in order to run his best race. He has won a couple of races by sitting off the pace and coming down the lane attacking the leaders. I think he is more of a borderline Grade 3 or ungraded stakes type of horse.
- Glorious Empire(IRE)- Edgar Prado/James Lawerence II
- Glorious Empire has won Grade 1s before, so class wise this shouldn’t be too tough. Prado won on this horse twice in stakes races which is also a positive. However, I think he is more of a horse that likes a softer ground. Also I think the 2nd off the layoff is a positive today too, but could mean he isn’t quite fit yet.
- Lucullan- Luis Saez/ Kiaran McLaughlin
- This horse should be able to sit the trip with Saez aboard. If he can pounce on the early speed he should be able to cruise by down the lane. However it seems he is a little outclassed in this spot but as one of the ML favorites, I think he should do just fine.
- Argonne- Junior Alvarado/ Harold James Bond
- Argonne seems to be outclassed entirely here. He didn’t even compete when he ran in the Grade 2 bowling Green. I don’t see him competing here either.
- Olympcio – Irad Ortiz Jr./ Chad Brown
- Chad Brown seems to always win these type of races, especially in New York. However, I think this horse just seems to not be that standout type of stakes turf horse for Chad Brown. Who knows, maybe I am wrong, but he seems to be just a minor stakes horse. Regardless, it is Chad Brown and you can never leave Chad Brown off your tickets, especially in a New York Turf race.
- Cullum Road- Manuel Franco/ Michael Maker
- This horse has been to every race track known to man it seems recently. Yet has never won a race at Belmont in three tries. He has class to compete and seems to be a closer which could be beneficial for him today. I think the traveling might take a toll on him and he might just not be as fit today.
- Catholic Boy- Javier Castellano/ Jonathon Thomas
- Good old Catholic Boy. He has won multiple Grade 1s on both surfaces and has the most class out of anyone in this field. He hasn’t raced since July and he isn’t an unstoppable horse. He has his flaws but he also has the most accolades in this field. As the absolute ML favorite, I think that should show his absolute talent in this field.
- Noble Indy- Jose Ortiz/ Todd Pletcher
- He has lost to Lucullan twice in the past three starts. He should go to the lead due to being the outside horse. Jose Ortiz can get him in the right spot, but I think Noble Indy is just not a Grade 2 horse in my humble opinion.