Belmont Stakes Predictions

Well, I went 0-fer in the Derby and 1-for-13 in the Preakness, so let’s see if I can build off that momentum for the 141st running of The Belmont Stakes on Saturday. I have disrespected and discounted Mine That Bird and Calvin Borel in the last two legs of the 2009 Triple Crown, dare I wear the dunce cap for the third strait time? Let’s find out. Here are my predictions for the 1 1/2 mile “Test of the Champion”:

Post time: 6:27 p.m. EDT at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
Purse: $1 million.
Distance: 1 1/2 miles.
Weight: 126 pounds.
Television: ABC 5-7 p.m.

10. SUMMER BIRD – PP:4 – Don’t care if he finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby and the other bird won it… still don’t think bird’s should be racin’ against horses… unless Calvin Borel is their jockey…

9. LUV GOV – PP:5 – LUV GOV finished 11th in the Preakness. Is trained by D. Wayne Lukas, but is owned by his breeder; which I think in horse racing may be similiar to breaking the “never get high on your own supply” rule.

8. MINER’S ESCAPE – PP:9 – In his most recent start, MINER’S ESCAPE won the Federico Tesio Stakes on May 2nd at Pimlico Race Course. Sired by MINESHAFT, the 2003 Horse of the Year, but this is 2009 and this horse is unproven and will stay that way.

7. DUNKIRK – PP:2 – The Todd Pletcher trained horse won his first two career starts before finishing second to QUALITY ROAD in the Florida Derby and then a disappointing 11th in the Kentucky Derby. More disappointment here as DUNKIRK never challenges.

6. CHOCOLATE CANDY – PP:1 – Finished fifth at the Kentucky Derby and has been at Belmont Park ever since. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer claims the horse has been very happy there, but I see no evidence to back that claim up.

5. BRAVE VICTORY – PP:10 – Finished 3rd in the Peter Pan Stakes (G2) to the winner CHARITABLE MAN. Sired by LION HEART, a tremendous JCVD flick…

4. FLYING PRIVATE – PP:8 – Trained by four-time Belmont Stakes winner D. Wayne Lukas, FLYING PRIVATE is coming off a fourth place finish in the Preakness. The man’s father is FUSAICHI PEGASUS for cryin’ out loud…

3. MR. HOT STUFF – PP:3 – COLONEL JOHN’s full brother, MR. HOT STUFF should benefit from the added distance. A very disappointing 15th in Louisville five weeks ago, but Eoin Harty will have him ready to roll come Saturday.

2. CHARITABLE MAN – PP:6 – The Peter Pan Stakes (G2) winner won’t run out of gas, he’ll just get run down. Has the talent, but not the experience. Is two-for-two on this track, but Saturday will make him two-for-three….

And the winner...

1. MINE THAT BIRD – PP:7 – “We’re gonna win, no questions asked,” Borel predicted Monday at Churchill Downs following Mine That Bird’s workout where he covered a half-mile in 50 seconds.

Well alright Calvin, I’ve been made a fool of twice in the last six weeks, it won’t be thrice. Calvin BO-RAIL and MINE THAT BIRD will cross the finish line first, leaving the world to wonder, “What if Calvin didn’t prefer the ladies?” Borel becomes the first jockey to ever win the Triple Crown aboard two different horses, and ‘tanks’ everyone involved in making his dreams come true.

BOREL & BIRD; WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN...