Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (WAR STORY) (5-1) - Hard hitting veteran enters off a second place finish here June 9 to today's rival 'Hoppertunity' in the Brooklyn Handicap (G2). He draws a great post for this 10 furlong contest that starts mid-way on the clubhouse turn. It will give jockey Javier Castellano some early options and will lead to a ground saving trip. This $2,600,000 earner gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #5 (Dr Dorr) (3-1) - Speedy sort is one of two entered by trainer Bob Baffert and the pair race as separate betting interests. He's never beaten a field of this caliber but has been very sharp this year 4-3-1-0 and won a G2 at Santa Anita April 28. His early speed makes him dangerous.
3rd pick: #8 (Hoppertunity) (9-2) - The second of the Baffert trained pair, he ran by 'War Story' to win the G2 Brooklyn Handicap here going 12 furlongs June 9. Old timer has spent most of his career on the west Coast, but is a perfect 2-for-2 here at Belmont. Stretch runner is an obvious win candidate.
4th pick: #4 (Tapwrit) (7-2) - The field's wild card, he finished third here going 8.5 furlongs facing weaker June 3 in his first start since finishing fourth in Saratoga's Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 26. The winner of last year's Belmont Stakes (G1) enters off of several sharp breezes and is dangerous with his best.
5th pick: #10 (Diversify) (6-1) - New York bred has an outstanding local record 7-5-2-0 and won last year's Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) here at this distance Oct 7. Speed is his game and he enters off a win going a mile facing weaker May 28. Working very fast since, he must overcome a tough outside post.