Belmont Draw

Ice Box has been installed as a lukewarm 3-1 favorite after drawing post position number six of twelve starters for Saturday's Grade 1 $1,000,000 Belmont Stakes. His co-Triple Crown runner-up, First Dude, is the second choice at 7-2. He received post position number eleven, the same one he had in Baltimore. The only other horse listed at less than double digit odds was Fly Down, another Nick Zito trainee like Ice Box, who is in slot five and posted at 9-2 in the morning line.

Everybody else is 10-1 or more in the Belmont Stakes. Who might stand out as the longshot to like? If he can overcome what appear to be nagging foot problems, Drosselmeyer might be a candidate. He is 12-1 with Mike Smith up breaking from post #7. Stately Victor appeared to be a hot horse entering the Derby five weeks ago following his big win in the Blue Grass Stakes over the polytrack at Keeneland. He ended up running 8th at Churchill Downs. He is 15-1 and in post position #9. Make Music For Me, who appeared ready to light the board up in mid-stretch of the Derby is back following a five-week break. He got the #4 hole and is 10-1. Finally, Dave In Dixie is 20-1 on the morning line and got the #1 post position with Calvin Borel aboard. Borel on the rail right from the get-go, my goodness!!!

It would be hard to believe that the three favorites are going to run one-two-three in whatever order on Saturday. It seems the key to making money on the 142nd Belmont Stakes is picking the right longshot. That seems like a very familiar tune, doesn't it?

Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!