A field of 10 has been drawn for the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes , and Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite. Borel fits the late runner like a glove, but he is only 1 for his last 5 and is not the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Charitable Man is the 3-1 2nd choice, and the Peter Pan winner might get brave if able to sneak away early.
Dunkirk is next at 4-1, and the lightly raced $3.7 million colt flashed talent in Florida before finding trouble on the …read more

The two main elements in predicting the ‘09 Belmont Stakes outcome are pedigree and pace handicapping.
Pace makes the race, and Charitable Man looms the one to catch. He is 3-3 on conventional dirt and 2-2 at Belmont. He pulled off a wire job in 6.5f career bow and is capable of rating should another rival get aggressive.
Miner’s Escape does not appear as swift as Charitable Man, but the improving sort exits a pair of prominent throughout nine furlong tallies. Remember that Nick Zito trainee Da’ Tara pulled off a wire job upset in this race last …read more

Charitable Man has been confirmed as a definite starter for the Belmont Stakes. The Kiaran McLaughlin runner is 3-3 on conventional dirt and 2-2 at Big Sandy. His sire Lemon Drop Kid won the Test of Champions in 1999, and he owns the right early/pressing style to succeed in the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Mine That Bird is currently training at Churchill for his upcoming Belmont engagement. Mike Smith has a prior riding commitment in SoCal, and Borel will stick with Rachel Alexandra if she goes, so Chip Woolley still needs a pilot for his Derby winner. Expect …read more

Rachel Alexandra is one step closer to Baltimore after making plane reservations for next Wednesday. Her probable status will be upgraded to definite if she looks good in an upcoming workout.
Calvin Borel will ride the Oaks winner in the Preakness, so Derby hero Mine That Bird needs a rider. Connections will name Borel anyway and reportedly have another rider lined up if the filly goes.

Pioneerof  The Nile is supposed to work on Monday and ship to Pimlico on Wednesday.
Terrain and Hull will work on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs.
Lexington 2nd place finisher Conservative will not …read more