Go ahead and laugh, but if you read my old blog last year and put my three picks in an exacta box you would have won (I did). For the record, I hit the exacta for the Preakness as well, but missed on the Belmont.
For the 2005 race I’ll take:
1) Afleet Alex: Built like a classic derby horse, put up great a Beyer number in his last race (108) and with the good closing kick that will win this year.
2) Bandini: Another horse that can close and had a good last outing, has looked good in workouts and should be suited for Churchill.
3) Greeley’s Galaxy: He’s been getting better and better each run and should be in position to finish in the money if he gets a good ride.
What about the favorite, Bellamy Road? Put aside the fact I have a hard time picking a horse that is owned by George Steinbrenner, I think the Wood was a bit of a fluke —he’s good but not that good. More importantly, this race sets up poorly for him. This is a horse that likes to be out front but Spanish Chestnut is a rabbit and the pace is going to be fast, pushed by several horses, which is why I have closers picked above. Churchill has long favored closers anyway. If Bellamy Road wins, this may be a super horse who will have a shot at the triple crown (the Preakness is his type of race).
If I were trying to hit a trifecta or superfecta (and I am), I’d put in Bellamy Road along with Noble Causeway.