HALLANDALE BEACH, FL, June 10, 2023 – Will the winner of today’s Belmont join the other 40 winners that earned entry into the Hall of Fame the champion’s test? Too much? Probably.
What about becoming the 69th three-year-old champion? Pretty fair chance., that. And the 37th Horse of the Year? That depends on who wins the sophomore title, for openers.
Does history ask too much of today’s field? Probably so, but what they are a good colts, with a chance to become even better.
Tapit Trice, National Treasure, Angel of Empire and Forte, already a champion, have had their moments this year, but possibly no bigger moment than at 7:05 pm EDT.
This field has been analyzed to death this week and now it’s time to choose your angles. We’re sticking with out Derby choice, Tapit Trice. We thought in May he was the best of his generation. He didn’t prove it in May, maybe he’s a June horse.
Our reasons? Haven’t seen a horse overcome race dynamics as impressively as this guy—and he did it twice. His penultimate breeze was a thing of beauty, 5 furlongs in 1:00 1/5, galloping out three-quarters in 1:12 2/5, gliding over Big Sandy throughout.
Tapit Trice is handier than many think. Watch the Tampa Derby and note the mid-race move to get within hailing distance. He dropped back on the turn, as he doesn’t run turns particularly well. But Belmont’s turns are so sweeping he shouldn’t be compromised on Long Island.
And, of course, he’s one of four Tapit’s in here, a sire that’s synonymous with the Belmont. Angel of Empire always fires his best shot, the distance is not an issue, and he appears the most dependable competitor in the group.
The 7-day layup and the 12-furlong trip and significant hurdles for the juvenile champion to overcome. The price shots we will use in the verticals and both “other Cox” runners; Hit Show and Tapit Shoes, especially the former.
Arcangelo, is picking up eight pounds and is up in trip but the only other runner boasting a win over today’s surface. The Preakness winner can get a chare of this if Johnny can get National Treasure into a good rhythm. We don’t believe he’s a need the lead type.
Let’s call it: 1. Tapit Trice. 2. Angel of Empire. 3. Hit Show. 4. Tapit Shoes. 5. Arcangelo.
The ABC’s of the Late Pick 4, listed in order of preference:
G1 MET MILE Race 10
A’s: 1-Cody’s Wish (7-5), 6-Zandon (5-1)
B’s: 5-Charge It (6-1), 9-White Abarrio (10-1)
C’s: 3-Dr. Schivel (10-1), 7-Repo Rocks (4-1)
G1 MANHATTAN STAKES Race 11
A’s: 8-Up To The Mark (8-5), 3-Warren Point (5-1)
B’s: 6-Red Knight (8-1)
C’s: Ottoman Fleet (5-2)
GI TEST OF THE CHAMPION Race 12
A’s: 2-Tapit Trice (3-1), 8-Angel of Empire (7-2)
B’s: 7-Hit Show (10-1)
C’s: 3-Arcangelo (8-1), 1-Tapit Shoes (20-1), 4-National Treasure (5-1)
ALLOWANCES Race 13
A’s: 10-Shpilkes (8-1), 12-Excursionniste (12-1)
B’s: 5-Sell Something (8-1), 1-Spirit of St. Louis (5-2)
C’s: 2-Let’s Go Big Blue (4-1), 3-Clear Conscience (5-1)
7 Responses
June 10, 2023
The Belmont
12th race
1. Angel of Empire
2. Hit Show
3. Tapit Trice
4. National Treasure
Good luck to all and as always, let’s go get the bad guys-Vin
This is a real tough one with many owning a REAL chance. Your top three, in my mind, are the most probable. In an hour, I could change my mind; the tote will decide the bet but for the record, Tapit Trice will win the Belmont…
John,
I have never seen a horse trained up to the Belmont. Guess if anyone can do it, TP can. But I’ll pass.
For what it’s worth.
1-Angel of Empire
2-Forte
3-Arcangelo
Good luck!
Think I saw a stat that the last time any horse trained up to the Belmont and won was in 1922; don’t think any of us saw that one! Bona fortuna, Mark…
Many times it feels less painful when one thinks that he can discern why he did not win, in this case , the Belmont Stakes. Forte was dragging along with a slow beginning , and by the time he got going , or maybe some should say” When Irad Ortiz got going “, the race was just about over. Angel of Empire was even from the start to the finish, passing some tiring horse(s) while a couple of others were passing by him. My third choice, Arcangelo, who had the Best Late Pace in his last race, did it again, beating them all. I thought I had the right horses on top, Only If Irad Ortiz’s s riding would have been more aggressive which is the way he rides, esp at the stretch. Got a couple of the winning exactas but it wasn’t enough to be a profitable race. Am I wrong to, mostly, blame this number one jockey in the country to have started so sleepy in this big race ? Congrats to Ms Jena Antonucci! It wasn’t a Hail Mary but a good, preparation on her part and connections. Brava ! I’m happy for her!
Maybe, maybe not, with different tactics. That said, the best horse won yesterday and I’m not willing to think it mattered. It was in the cards and the hooves of the winner, this is a very nice colt and easy to root for–and he might prove the best of them at year’s end. It will be an interesting group to follow. And BTW, Javier was great yesterday and might have been a difference maker in the outcome.
Javier was good today also ,at least to me. With the exception of sprints, maybe, Javier Castellano seems to be able to use his instinctive ability and experience without hesitation . And as long he’s not given odds/ on mounts, I don’t mind checking in whatever he’s riding, whether it is in Elmont or in the more competitive Saratoga jockey colony. What still bothers me, though, is. ” If I don’t use the best closer ,on a mile and a half route, on top , when am I going to use him/ her ” ?Was Tapic Trice the ” It” chosen horse by too many experts because of that same reason, besides the Tapit winning DNA ? Whatever appened to that ” Rome De Chef(?) “, or whatever it was called rating for long races? Most people gave up on that , dubious , theory ? Happy Father’s Day, to most fathers ,Nonni and sons with families..