Saturday sees the running of the last leg of the US Triple
Crown. Curlin, who won the Preakness last time out, is the
current favourite for the race, which has attracted just seven
runners.
IMAWILDANDCRAZYGUY: 3 g Wild Event - Frosty Cupcake,
by Top Account
He was flying when finishing a good fourth in the Kentucky
Derby. That was his best run to date and it remains to be
seen whether or nor he can repeat it. An outsider here despite
his good Derby run. Bids to retiring jockey Mark Guidry
a first ever Triple Crown success. Yet to win a stakes race,
but has competed with credit against the best of his generation.
He has won two his 15 starts and is drawn at one.
TIAGO: 3 c Pleasant Tap - Set Them Free, by Stop the
Music
Was seventh last time out in the Derby, beaten ten lengths.
He had previously caused something of an upset when winning
the Santa Anita Derby over King of the Roxy and Sam P. The
form of that race was not franked as the first five home
at Santa Anita all ran unplaced in classic races next time
out. Tiago bids to become the second classic winner for
his dam, also dam of Kentucky Derby victor Giacomo. He has
won twice in five starts.
CURLIN: 3 c Smart Strike - Sheriff's Deputy, by Deputy
Minister
Was a game winner of the Preakness last time out, touching
off Derby winner Street Sense. Had looked slightly unlucky
when third in the Kentucky Derby previously and won the
Arkansas Derby by a whooping ten lengths prior to that.
The horse to beat. Bids to give Deputy Minister consecutive
Belmont winners as a broodmare sire.
C P WEST: 3 c Came Home - Queen's Legend, by Dynaformer
Showed good form at two, when finishing second in the prestigious
Futurity Stakes. Ran unplaced in the Breeders Cup Juvenile,
but has run well in both of his three-year-old starts. Was
beaten five and a half lengths in the Preakness and has
ground to find with Curlin on that.
SLEW'S TIZZY: 3 c Tiznow - Hepatica, by Slewpy
Rapidly improving colt, who won the Lexington at 40-1 and
followed up with a good win in the Lone Star Derby (Gr3).
Takes a considerable step up in class, but looks progressive.
He didn't beat much in the Lexington or at Lone Star Park
and it remains unclear as to quite how good he is.
HARD SPUN: 3 c Danzig - Turkish Tryst, by Turkoman
Beat Curlin when second in the Derby, but was well beaten
by that colt when third at Pimlico. A high-class colt, he
earlier won the Lane's End Stakes - on Polytrack - and is
clearly most versatile. His dam is out of a half-sister
to Belmont winner Little Current. The horse most likely
to trouble Curlin.
RAGS TO RICHES: 3 f A P Indy - Better Than Honor, by
Deputy Minister
Outstanding filly, she is bidding for her fourth consecutive
Gr1 win. She has been devastating in her last three wins,
particularly in the Kentucky Oaks last time out. Bids to
give Todd Pletcher his first Triple Crown success and is
certainly bred for the job. By a Belmont Stakes winner,
her half brother won this race last year. Grandsire Seattle
Slew won the Belmont in 1977, whilst Deputy Minister is
the sire of another winner in Touch Gold. Historically fillies
have struggled here but Rags to Riches is a truly outstanding
filly.
SELECTION
1 Curlin
2 Hard Spun
3 Rags To Riches