The BEL
For 3 Year Olds
Going 1 ½ Miles on the Dirt Course
Purse $1,500.000
at BEL
Saturday June 6, 2015
The BEL is one of the most highly anticipated three year old races in North America. This is a true test of champions as these three year olds will try and go a mile and a half on the main dirt course at BEL. They will be running for a purse of $1,500.000, and a field of 16 are lining up to take on this big test. Owner Mb Stables will saddle a total of 6 of these entries making up 37.5% of the field. That gives this owner a better than 1/3 chance of winning. Owner Sanny Village will saddle 2 runners in today’s race. The beauty about today’s field is none of these owners have ever won the BEL and they all want to pick up that trophy at the finish line after the race. Let’s look at the 2015 BEL field of 16.
1 A One Owned by Sanny Village Albarado R J
Was your big winner in the PRK Grade I, and looks to entertain his option to run in the BEL. Draws post position one, and that could get him stuck on the rail. He likes to come from off the pace, and that should benefit him here today given that he will have 12 furlongs to go. You got to give him a look as he did win the PRK.
2 Just A Chance Owned by Mb Stables Smith M E
Has skipped all the 3 year old Triple Crown races, so that should mean is rested and ready to go. He won the LA Futurity Grade I in December after finishing 7th in the BC Juvenile Grade I at SA. Struck out in the Risen Star Grade II and the SA Derby Grade I. Most recently ran up at WO in the Marine Stakes a Grade III and finished a disappointing seventh. Likes to come from way off the pace, so he might need the added distance to get the job done.
3 Dominant Speed Owned by Rockitpad Garcia Alan
Just missed in the PRK Grade I to finish second by a length. Stayed mid pack and came on late to get up to finish second. Drew post position two in the PRK and today draws three, which should assist him well here. Jockey change from J Pimentel to Alan Garcia, which in my opinion is an upgrade. Showed nothing in the KYD so we will throw that race out. Looked good in the FL Derby Grade I when he finished third by a length. Look for him to be coming late down the lane.
4 Son Of Laggy Owned by Mb Stables Leparoux J R
Was sold on April 23, 2015 for $400.000 after finishing 12th in the AR Derby Grade I. Then he debuted for his new owner in the PRK Grade I. He was another that came from well off the pace to get up to finish fourth by two lengths. My biggest problem I have with him is that he has not won a race or been close since facing California Breds in the the CAC Derby for $250.000 going a mile and a sixteenth on the main track at SA. With that said we will pass here.
5 Deja Steel Owned by Mb Stables Velazquez J R
Blew away allowance company at LS in May against Non Winners of 1 race for a purse of $21.000 by 8 lengths. When he was asked to run on the dirt in the SUN Derby Grade II or the Fountain of Youth Grade II he was nowhere to be found. His last close race was in the Jerome Stakes a Grade II stakes race at AQU in January where he finished second by a nose. I fell like there are much better here, and I expect he could be a rabbit in disguise.
6 Much Notoriety Owned by Mb Stables Stevens G L
Struggled in the SA Derby Grade I in April at SA to finish 13th. Has had a couple of months off and now is back to racing. He look good going a mile and a sixteenth in March in the San Felipe Grade II at SA. Prior to that in his early three year old campaign he ran second in the Holy Bull Grade II to finish by a nose. He likes to be mid pack, and I think the added distance will not fit to his liking.
7 Port Of The Horizon Owned by D J C Racing Stables Ortiz J L
Finished in a dead heat for fifth at the KYD Grade I. Prior to that he won the Wood Memorial at AQU going a mile and an eighth on the main track. Looks like he likes a longer distance, and should improve today coming off a month’s worth of rest. Could be alive here today, and gets a jockey change to Jose Ortiz.
8 Im Too Confident Owned by Mb Stables Lopez P
Showed nothing in the KYD to finish 18th. Prior to that he was a winner in the Grade I BG Stakes at KEE. Finished fourth in the Fountain of Youth Grade II at GP. I’m expecting a much better run this time around, coming off a month’s worth of rest. Paco Lopez did ride him to victory in the BG Stakes, so maybe getting him back in the irons, is exactly what Im Too Confident needs.
9 Decima Owned by Mb Stables Bejerano R
Had a tough post position in the KYD and it showed with his performance finishing 15th. Prior to that he ran second in the LA Derby Grade II in March. He was third in the Fountain of Youth Grade II at GP. In the beginning of the year he won the Holy Bull Grade II by a nose. I like this colt, and hope that the jockey change will improve his odds. Could have some track problems in the beginning if he goes for the lead. He might be the early pacesetter depending on what owner Mb Stables decides.
10 Citizens Union Owned by Saratoga Stud Carmouche K
After finishing second in the Grade I AR Derby he was sold for $600.00. His next start would be his debut for his new owner in the KYD Grade I where he finished 17th. His new owner decided to give him a month off in hopes to prep him for today’s race. Should he win today, previous owner Mb Stables will probably feel that he made the wrong decision by selling him off.
11 Generals Companion Owned by Maxmillion Farm Talamo J
He was purchased for $20.00 in February. He made his debut for his new owner in the Grade II San Felipe where he finished second after coming from off the pace. Then he raced in the SA Derby Grade I in April and went wire to wire to win by three. His last outing was in the KYD Grade I where he came from off the pace to finish second by a neck. Can you say, this might be your winner, given he has some time off to rest?
12 Mars Owned by Grimley Espinoza
Won the Grade II LA Derby back in March at FG. Then went on to finish third in a dead heat in the KYD Grade I. His owner then decided to put him in the PRK Grade I where he had the lead throughout the majority of the race to come home and faded to finish sixth by three lengths. He could try and fight for the lead here, but he can’t afford to do it at high fractions or it will cost him his race.
13 Divine And Broke Owned by Sanny Village Ortiz I Jr
Has only hit the board once this year, and that was two back in the Grade I Wood Memorial in April at AQU. He really hasn’t shown much to be very impressive. His last outing was in the KYD Grade I and he drew post position 14, and doesn’t draw much better today. I think there are better suited here today.
14 Lukas Duke Owned by Jkk Racing Stables Garcia Mar
Did really well at AQU in the beginning of the year winning both the Wither and the Gotham Grade III stakes races. Then tried the Grade I Wood Memorial where he went on to finish fifth. His next start would be the Grade I KYD where he finished in a dead head for third. With only two weeks rest went to the Grade I PRK where he finished off the board. Now with only three weeks rest, he is going to try and win here. I think he will struggle with such a far out post position.
15 Viking Shield Owned by Delta Farms Bridgmohan S X
He won the AR Derby Grade I in April at OP. Then went on to the Grade I KYD where he finished fifth in a dead heat. He did not do very well in the Grade I PRK just two weeks later. Today he draws a tough post position, and I think this is going to hurt him a lot here. Tough call!
16 King Cobra Owned by Aer Stables Castellano J J
Probably one of the best $60.000 purchase Aer Stables ever made. He purchased him in Novebmer 2014. He debuted him at FG Maiden Special Weight where he won by three lengths. He then went on to TP where he won the Battaglia Memorial Stakes for a purse of $125.000. His next race was in the Grade III SUN Derby where he won by ¾ of a length. As we all know his next race was the Grade I KYD where he won by a neck. His next test was in the Grade I PRK where he just did not show up to finish eighth. King Cobra draws an awfully tough post position for today’s race. If he can surprise this field with a win, then he will overcome more than 1 ½ mile race.
Iwin picks: 11-8-3
The Tout picks: 11-12-16
Until next time this is Iwin signing off!
Categories: TC 2015-2020, THE TRIPLE CROWN
