(# 3) CURLIN - Won't go into a long analysis about his past as most of you know the story anyway. I think that his ability to be placed just about anywhere and be asked by the rider at any point and respond is his biggest plus. Looking back for a moment on the Derby, as a lightly raced horse in a huge field, his performance in finishing third was almost as impressive as any of his wins. This is not an exceptional crop of three-year-olds, no matter what the media says. They are an ordinary group at best, Street Sense included. Curlin is the horse to beat and the key point in this race will be the moment this field hits the far turn and these horses are asked to run. Some will move into another gear, others will stagger from that point. Belmont is a very different type of track and the one thing I'm sure of is there will be more than 25 lengths from first to last. Curlin is the pick.

(# 4) C P West - Thought that he ran extremely well in the Preakness middle moving into a hot pace while racing well out in the track and staying on well to finish fourth. Lightly raced and obviously on the improve. Preakness was only his second attempt around two turns, the first being the BC Juvenile, when he was eliminated early on. Prado fits him well and he will run the same type of race as he did in the Preakness. Stay relatively close and try and win it on the far turn. As with most big name trainers, when a man like Zito gets them going in the right direction, they tend to stay that way awhile. Chance at the upset.

(# 2) Tiago - Think he'll put in a good run no matter the pace scenario. He has trained well and often, at home base of Hollywood Park since the Derby. Like the Zito runner, he's lightly raced and comes into this a fresh horse. May surprise some people and not be as far back early on as many think. Definite threat late, as many others gasp turning for home.

(# 6) Hard Spun - Strategy is pretty clear cut. Either he takes the lead or tracks Slew's Tizzy. Will give his all and try and win it at the half-mile pole. I think he'll come up a tad short.