Who Will Win The Belmont Stakes

In the past couple of weeks I have graced you with outstanding information about making your wagers in the first two jewels of horse racing's triple crown. I was spot on with my Kentucky Derby prognostication as well as another perfect bull's eye in the Preakness. Today I will tell you how to handicap the Belmont Stakes.

Winning two jewels in the triple crown isn't common place but it has happened quite a few times in recent memory. Winning the third jewel in the longest race of the series has been quite elusive. One horse, California Chrome, has the chance to become a part of history with a win at The Belmont today. He won't.

While California Chrome has shown his ability in the Kentucky Derby and The Preakness, this race at The Belmont is different. It is a lot longer than those other two races and the long home stretch is where dreams go to die. Remember Smarty Jones? He had the race in hand but the distance got him. The same thing will happen to California Chrome.

Who will be the spoiler? I have been high on Ride On Curlin' in the two previous Triple Crown races but I don't think he can make the distance either. There are a couple of other horses I would consider, namely Wicked Strong and Tonalist.

Wicked Strong got beat up in the Derby. The horse got mugged in traffic and unless he won the darn thing wasn't planning on running the Preakness anyway. Belmont Park is Wicked Strong's home track. He has won on this surface and he will have a certain home field advantage. He certainly will go off at better price for bettors than California Chrome will.

Tonalist has earned my attention because he too has won a race at Belmont Park. In fact he won the Peter Pan Stakes by four lengths. This horse is rested having not run the Derby or the Preakness. He knows the surface and has won on the track and I think that combination will give him the ummph he needs to catch California Chrome and dash the dreams of a triple crown again.

Here's my ticket:

Exacta Box - #9 Tonalist and #11 Wicked Strong

Trifecta Box - #2 California Chrome, #9 Tonalist and #11 Wicked Strong

Win Place Show - #9 Tonalist