Classic

1 Lawyer Ron 5-2

Todd Pletcher has done a masterful job with this horse, getting him to harness his early speed and he has been great.  There isn't much to knock here other than he let Curlin run him down late in a fairly run race.  The 10f distance might just be a hair to long against this kind of quality.

2 Street Sense 3-1

He will go down as a very good horse based on what he has done already, but a win here makes him a great horse.  He is being prepared by a master at getting a horse ready for a specific objective, so I don't let the last few efforts detract from his Derby/Preakness numbers.  I expect a number like that in this race.

3 Any Given Saturday 4-1

Certainly a good horse, but might be just a tad over his head here.  His Brooklyn win was unappealing, both visually and figure wise.  I'll look elsewhere.

4 Curlin 3-1

I think this is the clear horse to beat.  He has beaten Lawyer Ron and Street Sense, even if narrowly, when those two had slightly better trips.  If he handles the off track, and there is no reason to think he won't, he'll win.

5 George Washington 20-1

I cannot tell a lie...I hate this horse.  He isn't the same horse he was last year, and I think this is at least a good a group as those that beat up on him last year.

6 Awesome Gem 30-1

No Comment.

7 Diamond Stripes 15-1

He should have run in the mile on Friday.

8 Hard Spun 8-1

Very tough, fast horse, but probably doesn't want to go 1 1/4 miles.  I have to think in a 4 million dollar race he isn't going to get away with an easy lead.  For the sake of his fans, I hope they do at least send him to the front.  It is his only chance.

9 Tiago 12-1

Too slow.  Synthetic should have been right up his alley, and it was, but this isn't synthetic.  It is hard to imagine him outfinishing Street Sense and Curlin to win this race.

RECAP: I think Curlin becomes Horse of the Year with this win.  It should be him and Street Sense to the wire in a replay of the Preakness.

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