Belmont stakes Wagering Guide

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1 Belmont stakes Wagering Guide Ruler On Ice wins 2011 Belmont. Horsephotos.com/NTRA XPRESS ( )

2 Header Fellow by Racing Bob Fan, Neumeier NBC Sports Reporter Welcome to the fifth edition of Xpressbet s free Belmont Wagering Guide! Following exciting finishes in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness between I ll Have Another and ANALYSIS: Even a biased, east-coast Bostonian like me can see that Bodemeister, we find ourselves on the verge of witnessing the 12th Triple the Golden State of California offers three of the top hopefuls for the WIN-PLACE-SHOW Crown bid since ODDS Affirmed 2012 outdueled Kentucky Alydar Derby. BODEMEISTER, in Since then, CREATIVE no horse CAUSE has and swept I LL HAVE the series, so we re (Last 25 all years, understandably Odds to $1) ANOTHER excited at all the sport prospect solid credentials of I ll Have with Another excellent winning speed figures another and in New York. Win Odds distance pedigrees to match. Mom and Dad Baffert should dress son Bode Average: to-1 with The a snappy best way blazer to prepare and a cute for bow watching tie for a and winner s wagering circle photo on the for main the event is High: with Xpressbet s (Mine That Belmont Bird, 2009) ages Stakes if his colt Wagering can match Guide. that Inside Arkansas you Derby will tour-de-force. find everything However, you need with to watch Low: and 2.30 wager (Fusaichi on the Pegasus, race 2000) like an only three weeks to recover from that race, the bounce backers will be Notable: 4 of last 10 Derby winners were expert. lining up around the block, predicting that BODEMEISTER will regress and 20-to-1 or more bounce as if he were on a trampoline. If not Bode Baffert can smile and say cheese. Xpressbet will offer online, phone and mobile wagering on the entire Belmont Place Odds Stakes card and we invite you to wager with us Saturday, June 9 and throughout the year. Average: MAIN CONTENDERS: Should BODEMEISTER win the Kentucky High: (Closing Argument, 2005) Derby, As a he current will make account history holder for having you zero already 2-year-old know races that on Xpressbet his resume. is the best Low: place.80 to (Easy watch Goer-entry, and wager 1989) on But worldwide recent Derby harness winners and have Thoroughbred been tossing historical racing. trends If you don t where already they have an Notable: Xpressbet Favorites account, have been act second now belong----in the nearest trash bin. Should he bounce, Santa Anita Derby 3 times in last 25 years. to earn a $125 cash bonus! Complete details are available at Xpressbet.com. grads CREATIVE CAUSE or I LL HAVE ANOTHER will be waiting to pounce. And don t sleep on crafty conditioner Dale Romans with DULLAHAN, Show Odds Please enjoy this complimentary Belmont Stakes Wagering Guide. We ve hoping against hope that his rider Kent Desormeaux can weave his way Average: recruited top handicappers, writers and broadcasters to examine the race Analysis, Main Contenders, through a 20-horse cavalry charge. High: Value Plays (Mane and Minister, $ ) Wagering Strategies. You ll also find useful Stats & Trends, a handy Exotic Low: Wagering.80 (Awe Inspiring-entry, Chart and much 1989) more. Notable: The last favorite to finish third VALUE PLAYS: Speed figures suggest that MARK VALESKI could be was Indian Charlie in an overlay of the century (30-1 or higher?). Comparative handicappers will Plan dismiss to return him after to poor the Xpressbet showings by web his site two latest for free conquerors Belmont and Stakes an Wagering Guide updates. These will EXACTA PAYOFFS iffy include pedigree. Johnny Still, the D s price in-depth, will be right. horse-by-horse DADDY NOSE analysis BEST and and TAKE revised expert opinions and selections based (Last 25 years, $2 Payoffs) CHARGE on scratches, INDY might post also positions, be overlooked weather, the etc. windows. Updates will be posted daily beginning Average: $ Tuesday, June 5. High: $9, WAGERING The folks at STRATEGIES Xpressbet wish ($100): you an entertaining and profitable 2012 Belmont (Giacomo-Closing Stakes and Argument, we look 2005) $20 forward Win: BODEMEISTER to serving as ($20) your advance deposit wagering account provider for Low: this $15.20 hopefully historic day $10 Exacta Part-Wheel: BODEMEISTER with CREATIVE CAUSE and and into the future. (Sunday Silence-Easy Goer, 1989) I LL HAVE ANOTHER ($20) Notable: Since the mutuel field was $1 Trifecta Box: BODEMEISTER, CREATIVE CAUSE, I LL HAVE ANOTHER, abolished in 2001, the average exacta DULLAHAN Sincerely, and MARK VALESKI ($60) has paid $1, Ron Luniewski President Synthetic-to-Derby Trifecta Kentucky Derby trifectas in four of the last five years have included at least Xpressbet one horse that had prepped most recently on a synthetic surface. Street Florida s Finest Sense and Animal Kingdom won after the surface switch, Hard Spun, 5 of the last 6 Kentucky Derby winters spent Pioneer of the Nile and Paddy O Prado all hit the board. the bulk of their 3-year-old winter-spring seasons stabled in the state of Florida. New Mexico-based Mine That Bird in 2009 was the only exception. 1. BODEMEISTER 2. creative cause 3. I LL HAVE ANOTHER 4. DULLAHAN XPRESS ( ) *Restrictions apply. See website for details. National gambling support line

3 BELMONT WAGERING FACTS Header By Jeremy Plonk, Horseplayernow.com by Bob Neumeier NBC Sports Reporter Below are some interesting and informative wagering tidbits from past Belmont Stakes events. WIN-PLACE-SHOW ODDS TRIFECTA PAYOFFS (Last 12 Years, Odds to $1) (Last 12 Years, $1 Payoff) Win Odds Average: $1, ANALYSIS: Average: Even a biased, east-coast Bostonian like me can see High: that $12, the High: Golden State (Sarava, of California 2002) offers three of the top hopefuls for (Sarava-Medaglia the d Oro-Sunday WIN-PLACE-SHOW Break, 2002) ODDS 2012 Low: Kentucky 1.15 (Afleet Derby. Alex, BODEMEISTER, 2005) CREATIVE CAUSE and I LL Low: HAVE $33.75 (Last 25 years, Odds to $1) ANOTHER Notable: Last all sport 4 winners solid were credentials 11-to-1 or with more. excellent speed figures (Empire and Maker-Ten Most Win Wanted-Funny Odds Cide, 2003) distance pedigrees to match. Mom and Dad Baffert should dress Notable: son Bode Last year s $4,134 Average: trifecta to-1 was highest since with Place a snappy Odds blazer and a cute bow tie for a winner s circle photo for the High: (Mine That Bird, 2009) ages Average: if his colt 7.07can match that Arkansas Derby tour-de-force. However, SUPERFECTA with PAYOFFS Low: 2.30 (Fusaichi Pegasus, 2000) only High: three weeks (Stay to Thirsty, recover 2011) from that race, the bounce backers (Since will be 2000, NA in 2003, Notable: $1 Payoff) 4 last 10 Derby winners were lining Low: up.35 around (Smarty the Jones, block, 2004) predicting that BODEMEISTER will Average: regress and $14, to-1 or more bounce Notable: as 9 if of he last were 12 place on a trampoline. horses were single-digit If not Bode odds. Baffert can smile (Average and say Odds of 4th-Place Finishers is to-1) cheese. High: $72, Place Odds Show Odds (Sarava-Medaglia d Oro-Sunday Average: Break-Magic Weisner, 2002) MAIN Average: CONTENDERS: Should BODEMEISTER win the Kentucky Low: $91.75 High: (Closing Argument, 2005) Derby, High: he will (Anak make Nakal/Ready s history for having Echo dead-heat, zero 2-year-old 2008) races on his (Point resume. Given-A P Valentine-Monarchos-Dollar Low:.80 (Easy Goer-entry, Bill, 1989) 2001) But Low: recent 1.00 Derby (Funny winners Cide, 2003) have been tossing historical trends where Notable: they 3 of the last 4 Notable: superfectas Favorites returned have $5,329 been or second more. belong----in Notable: Only the 2 nearest of last 12 trash show bin. horses Should were he under bounce, 5-to-1. Santa Anita Derby 3 times in last 25 years. grads CREATIVE CAUSE or I LL HAVE ANOTHER will be waiting HIGHEST-PRICED to pounce. RUNNERS IN SUPERFECTA And LOWEST-PRICED don t sleep on FAVORITES crafty conditioner Dale Romans with DULLAHAN, (Last 10 Years, Odds to Show $1) Odds hoping (Last 12 against Years, hope Odds to that $1) his rider Kent Desormeaux can weave Odds his way Horse Average: Year Fin. through Odds a 20-horse Horse cavalry Year charge. Fin Sarava High: st (Mane Minister, 1991).30 Big Brown 2008 dnf Da Tara Low: (Awe 1stInspiring-entry, 1989).35 Smarty Jones nd Birdstone Notable: 2004 The 1stlast favorite to finish third VALUE 1.00 PLAYS: Funny Cide Speed 2003 figures suggest 3rd that MARK VALESKI could be Anak Nakal was 2008 Indian 3rd Charlie in an overlay 1.10 Curlin of the century ( or higher?). 2nd Comparative handicappers will 1.15 dismiss Afleet him after Alex poor 2005 showings 1st by his two latest conquerors ODDS-ON and an BELMONT EXACTA BUSTS PAYOFFS iffy 1.25 pedigree. War Still, Emblem the price 2002 will be right. 8th DADDY NOSE BEST and (Last TAKE 33 Years) (Last 25 years, $2 Payoffs) CHARGE 1.25 INDY Mine That might Bird also 2009 be overlooked 3rd at the windows. Last 7 Odds-On Choices Average: Have Lost $ Point Given st Year Horse High: Fin. $9, Odds 2008 Big Brown (Giacomo-Closing dnf 1-5 Argument, 2005) $20 EXACTA Win: PAYOFFS BODEMEISTER ($20) 2004 Smarty Jones Low: 2nd $ $10 (Last Exacta 12 Years, Part-Wheel: $2 Payoff) BODEMEISTER with CREATIVE CAUSE 1998 and Real Quiet (Sunday 2nd Silence-Easy 4-5 Goer, 1989) I LL Average: HAVE $ ANOTHER ($20) 1989 Sunday Silence Notable: 2nd Since 4-5 the mutuel field was $1 High: Trifecta $2, Box: BODEMEISTER, (Sarava-Medaglia CREATIVE d Oro, 2002) CAUSE, I LL HAVE 1987 ANOTHER, Alysheba abolished 4th in 2001, 4-5 the average exacta Low: DULLAHAN $20.60 (Point and MARK Given-A VALESKI P Valentine, ($60) 2001) 1981 Pleasant Colony has paid 3rd $1, Notable: Last year s $908 exacta was the largest since Spectacular Bid 3rd 1-5 Synthetic-to-Derby Trifecta Kentucky Derby trifectas in four of the last five years have included at least EXPERT SELECTION GRID one horse that had prepped most recently on a synthetic surface. Street Florida s Finest Sense Expert and Animal Bob Neumeier Kingdom won Mike after Battaglia the surface Jeff switch, Siegel Hard Spun, Jon White 5 of the Dick last Jerardi 6 Kentucky Derby Steve winters Byk spent Pioneer of the Nile and Paddy O Prado all hit the board. the bulk of their 3-year-old winter-spring (NBC Sports) (NBC Sports) (HRTV) (HRTV) (Phila. Daily News) (SiriusXM Radio) seasons stabled in the state of Florida. New First Paynter Paynter I ll Have Another I ll Have Another I ll Have Another I ll Have Another Mexico-based Mine That Bird in 2009 was Second I ll Have Another I ll Have Another Paynter Dullahan Union Rags Paynter the only exception. Third Dullahan Dullahan Union Rags Union Rags Dullahan Dullahan Fourth Union Rags Union Rags Dullahan Paynter Paynter Union Rags 1. BODEMEISTER 2. creative cause 3. I LL HAVE ANOTHER 4. DULLAHAN BELMONT Daily Late-Breaking Wagering Online Updates Guide Begin Updates June 5 Available Online Daily Beginning Tuesday, June 5

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5 Meet Header The 2012 Belmont Contenders by Johnny D Xpressbet.com by Bob Neumeier NBC Sports Reporter I LL HAVE ANOTHER DULLAHAN I ll Have Another, hero of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, will Even attempt a biased, to become east-coast racing s Bostonian 12th like Triple me can see I ll Have that Another, Dullahan Stats & appears Trends: to pose a signifi- Third in the Kentucky Derby, less than two lengths behind ANALYSIS: the Crown Golden winner State when of California he faces offers a field three of approximately of the top hopefuls 12 for cant the threat to turn the WIN-PLACE-SHOW tables on the Derby ODDS and Preakness 2012 runners Kentucky in the Derby. Belmont BODEMEISTER, Stakes. History CREATIVE has not been CAUSE kind and I LL winner. HAVE Trainer Dale Romans, (Last 25 years, who has Odds enjoyed to $1) recent ANOTHER to Triple Crown all sport hopefuls. solid credentials The last horse with to excellent sweep the speed trio figures success and in Triple Crown Win races, Oddsopted to skip the Preakness distance of races pedigrees was Affirmed to match. in 1978 Mom and and 11 three-year-olds, Dad Baffert should dress with son Dullahan Bode in order Average: to have to-1 him breathing fire in the with subsequently, a snappy blazer have been and a in cute the bow same tie for a winner s circle photo for the Belmont. High: Since (Mine 2000, That five Bird, horses 2009) have ages position if his as colt I ll can Have match Another that Arkansas and Derby tour-de-force. However, with raced Low: in 2.30 the (Fusaichi Derby, skipped Pegasus, the 2000) Preakness Notable: and then 4 of last won 10 the Derby Belmont winners were only have three failed. weeks Will he to recover buck history from and BELMONT LAST TIMES... that race, the bounce backers will be lining join the up exclusive around the club block, of Triple predicting Crown that BODEMEISTER The Last will regress and Summer 20-to-1 or Bird more (2009), Jazil (2006), bounce winners? as It if certainly he were on appears a trampoline. so. Then If not Bode Kentucky Baffert Derby can Winner smile to and Win: say Birdstone (2004), Empire Maker (2003) cheese. again, Smarty Jones, Big Brown and Thunder Gulch (1995) and Place Commendable Odds (2000). Dullahan s Spectacular Bid, to name a few, also late-running Average: style suggests he will looked unbeatable in their respective Preakness Winner to Win: be MAIN CONTENDERS: Should BODEMEISTER win the Kentucky High: effective at (Closing the mile Argument, and one-half 2005) Belmont attempts and things just Afleet Alex (2005) Belmont Derby, he will make history for having zero 2-year-old races on his resume. Low:.80 distance. (Easy Goer-entry, He will have 1989) a new didn t work out. Gone from Belmont rider But recent Derby winners have been tossing historical trends where they Notable: in Javier Favorites Castellano, have been a Belmontbased second New Triple Crown Face to Win: competition is Bodemeister, I ll belong----in the nearest trash bin. Should he bounce, Santa Anita Derby 3 times veteran in last 25 jockey. years. While Dullahan s previous two victories were over Ruler On Ice (2011) Have Another s chief rival in the grads CREATIVE CAUSE or I LL HAVE ANOTHER will be waiting to pounce. Derby and Preakness, but the challenge of negotiating the mile and And don t sleep on crafty conditioner Dale Romans Kentucky with Derby DULLAHAN, Show Horse to Win: synthetic Show Odds surfaces, commendable efforts hoping against hope that his rider Kent Desormeaux Afleet Alex can (2005) weave his way Average: in the Derby (third) and Breeders one-half distance over Belmont s Big Cup through a 20-horse cavalry charge. High: Juvenile (Mane (fourth) Minister, over Churchill 1991) Sandy surface remains. And then Horse to Lay-Off Since Derby to Win: Downs Low:.80 main (Awe track Inspiring-entry, suggest he 1989) also can there s history always a formidable Summer Bird (2009) handle Notable: dirt. The last favorite to finish third VALUE foe. I ll Have PLAYS: Another Speed is bred figures to suggest that MARK VALESKI could be was Indian Charlie in an overlay of the century (30-1 or higher?). Comparative Horse Prepped handicappers at Belmont to Win: effectively get the distance, he possesses enough tactical speed to race and an Wouldn t EXACTA PAYOFFS it be poetic justice for trainer will dismiss him after poor showings by his two Drosselmeyer latest conquerors (2010) PAYNTER iffy within pedigree. striking Still, distance, the price he s will fit, be strong right. DADDY Jockey NOSE to Win BEST His Debut: and TAKE Bob (Last Baffert, 25 years, conditioner $2 Payoffs) of Bodemeister Average: who $ was second to I ll Have CHARGE and determined. INDY might All that also remains be overlooked is to at Jose the windows. Valdivia (2011 Ruler On Ice) find out what the racing gods have in Another High: $9, in the Derby and Preakness, WAGERING store for him in STRATEGIES the Belmont. ($100): Trainer to Win His Debut: to (Giacomo-Closing turn the tables on Argument, the Triple 2005) Crown $20 Win: BODEMEISTER ($20) Kelly Breen (2011 Ruler On Ice) hopeful Low: $15.20 in the Belmont with another UNION $10 Exacta RAGS Part-Wheel: BODEMEISTER with Winner CREATIVE From 10+ CAUSE Lengths and Back: horse (Sunday from Silence-Easy his deep stable? Goer, 1989) As unpopular Notable: as Since a victory the mutuel by Paynter field was would A I LL troubled HAVE seventh ANOTHER in the ($20) Kentucky Jazil (2006) Derby $1 Trifecta when Box: racing BODEMEISTER, as the second CREATIVE CAUSE, I LL HAVE ANOTHER, be abolished on the racing 2001, landscape spoiling has another paid $1, Triple Crown bid in the the average exacta wagering DULLAHAN choice, and Union MARK Rags VALESKI has ($60) been on the sidelines awaiting process it would bring boundless joy another shot at the brass Synthetic-to-Derby ring. He s failed in Trifecta his last two attempts in the Kentucky Derby and as odds-on favorite in race near-misses, is overdue to owner Ahmed Zayat Kentucky Derby trifectas in four of the last five years have included at least Know who, This: after a series of Triple Crown one horse that had prepped most recently on a synthetic surface. Street Florida s for Finest a win. Paynter has the the Florida Derby. Some would argue that he had excuses credentials to pull off Sense and Animal Kingdom won after the surface switch, Hard Spun, 5 the of the upset. last 6 He s Kentucky fast, in Derby a race winters without spent in both of those races; others are weary of alibis for this much early speed; he s Pioneer of the Nile and Paddy O Prado all hit the board. the lightly-raced bulk of their (only 3-year-old four starts), winter-spring so good-looking, talented son of Dixie Union. A rider switch more improvement is seasons possible; stabled he s by in the Awesome state of Again Florida. New to John Velazquez emphasizes the point that it s put up out of a Cee s Tizzy mare, Mexico-based so getting Mine the distance That Bird is in not 2009 was or shut up time for the horse who came within a head of out of the question; and the only he finished exception. less than four lengths winning the Breeders Cup Juvenile last November. behind I ll Have Another in the Santa Anita Derby only the second race of Paynter s career. 1. BODEMEISTER 2. creative cause 3. I LL HAVE ANOTHER 4. DULLAHAN BELMONT Daily Late-Breaking Wagering Online Updates Guide Begin Updates June 5 Available Online Daily Beginning Tuesday, June 5

6 The Baffert Role Reversal by Bob Neumeier NBC Sports Reporter ANALYSIS: After many years of being the hunted, trainer Bob Baffert has a different role for this year s Belmont Stakes as the hunter. Armed with a freshly minted three-year-old contender in PAYNTER, he will try to slay the I LL HAVE ANOTHER dragon. Baffert has felt the agony of the near-miss with Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998 and War Emblem in So in a mirror-image switch, Bodemeister now hands the baton to PAYNTER. Same trainer, same owner, same running style. A different result, perhaps? MAIN CONTENDERS: The race consists of four win possibilities: I LL HAVE ANOTHER, PAYNTER, DULLAHAN and UNION RAGS. The balance of the field are tomato cans. UNION RAGS has much to prove after two Julien Leparoux adventures, but I still question his ability over a distance of ground. DULLAHAN makes sense, but his best thrusts come on turf or synthetic surfaces. The 2012 record of I LL HAVE ANOTHER is impeccable. Can he hold it together after five grueling weeks? Eleven have tried. Eleven have failed since Affirmed. Pedigree experts have convinced me that PAYNTER will have no problem with the marathon distance. He is fresh, fit and dangerous. VALUE PLAYS: The odds on the second, third and fourth choices will dictate where the value will show. The trio will take money for different reasons. Players are strangely in love with trouble lines (i.e. UNION RAGS). The mere Baffert name guarantees that PAYNTER will take his share of the action. That DULLAHAN closed with a furious rush in the Kentucky Derby at a shorter distance will suggest to some that he will relish 12 furlongs ( a mistaken notion in my experience). $20 Exacta Box: PAYNTER and I LL HAVE ANOTHER ($40) $20 Exacta Box: PAYNTER and DULLAHAN ($40) $10 Exacta Box: PAYTNER and UNION RAGS ($20) Online Updates Begin June 5 Make sure to top-off your knowledge by accessing Xpressbet s Belmont Wagering Guide Online Updates beginning June 5. Updates are free and include revised expert analysis and selections based on weather, post positions, etc, and Johnny D s in-depth, horse-by-horse Belmont analysis. 1. paynter 2. I ll have another 3. dullahan 4. union rags DERBY WINNERS IN BELMONT (Last 10 Years) Thunder Gulch (1995) last to win Belmont Year Horse Fin Animal Kingdom 6th 2010 did not compete Mine That Bird 3rd 2008 Big Brown dnf 2007 did not compete did not compete Giacomo 7th 2004 Smarty Jones 2nd 2003 Funny Cide 3rd 2002 War Emblem 8th PREAKNESS WINNERS IN BELMONT (Last 10 Years) Year Horse Fin Shackleford 5th 2010 did not compete did not compete Big Brown dnf 2007 Curlin 2nd 2006 did not compete Afleet Alex 1st 2004 Smarty Jones 2nd 2003 Funny Cide 3rd 2002 War Emblem 8th WIN AFTER DERBY, NO PREAKNESS START (Since 2000) Year Horse 2009 Summer Bird 2006 Jazil 2004 Birdstone 2003 Empire Maker 2000 Commendable The Last Wire-to-Wire Belmont Winner: Da Tara (2008)

7 EXOTIC WAGERING CHART Header by Bob Neumeier Belmont NBC Stakes Sports exotic Reporter wagers usually produce hefty payoffs. Use this handy Exotic Wagering Chart to plan your attack. ANALYSIS: Even a biased, east-coast Bostonian like me can see that exacta box: ($2 Wager) trifecta keys: ($1 Wager) the Golden State of California offers three of the top hopefuls for the WIN-PLACE-SHOW ODDS 2 horse box... $4 1 Horse with 3 others... $ Kentucky Derby. BODEMEISTER, CREATIVE CAUSE and I LL HAVE (Last 25 years, Odds to $1) 3 horse box...$12 (Example: 1/ 2, 3, 4/ 2, 3, 4) ANOTHER 4 horse all box sport...$24 solid credentials with excellent speed 1 figures Horse with and 4 others...$12 Win Odds distance 5 horse pedigrees box...$40 to match. Mom and Dad Baffert should (Example: dress son 1/ 2, Bode 3, 4, 5/ 2, 3, 4, 5) Average: to-1 with a 6 snappy horse box blazer...$60 and a cute bow tie for a winner s circle 1 Horse photo with for 5 others...$20 High: (Mine That Bird, 2009) ages if 7 his horse colt box can...$84 match that Arkansas Derby tour-de-force. (Example: However, 1/ 2, 3, with 4, 5, 6/ 2, 3, 4, Low: 5, 6) 2.30 (Fusaichi Pegasus, 2000) only three 8 horse weeks box...$112 to recover from that race, the bounce backers 1 Horse with will 6 be others...$30 Notable: 4 of last 10 Derby winners were lining up around the block, predicting that BODEMEISTER (Example: will regress 1/ 2, 3, and 4, 5, 6, 7/ 2, 3, 20-to-1 4, 5, 6, 7) or more bounce exacta as if wheel: were on ($2 a trampoline. Wager) If not Bode Baffert 1 can Horse smile with and 7 others say...$42 cheese. One Horse with All (Example: 1/ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8/ 2, Place 3, 4, 5, Odds 6, 7, 8) 6 horse field... $10 Average: horse field... $12 Superfecta box: ($1 Wager) MAIN CONTENDERS: Should BODEMEISTER win the Kentucky High: (Closing Argument, 2005) 8 horse field... $14 4 Horse Box...$24 Derby, he will make history for having zero 2-year-old races on his resume. Low:.80 (Easy Goer-entry, 1989) 9 horse field... $16 5 Horse Box...$120 But recent Derby winners have been tossing historical trends where they Notable: Favorites have been second 10 horse field...$18 6 Horse Box...$360 belong----in the nearest trash bin. Should he bounce, Santa Anita Derby 3 times in last 25 years. grads trifecta CREATIVE box: CAUSE ($1 Wager) or I LL HAVE ANOTHER will Superfecta be waiting to pounce. wheels: ($1 Wager) And don t 3 Horse sleep Box on... crafty conditioner Dale $6 Romans with One DULLAHAN, Horse with All with All with All Show Odds hoping 4 Horse against Box hope... that his rider Kent $24 Desormeaux can 7 weave Horse Field. his way... Average: $120 through 5 Horse a 20-horse Box...$60 cavalry charge. 8 Horse Field....$210 High: (Mane Minister, 1991) 6 Horse Box...$120 9 Horse Field....$336 Low:.80 (Awe Inspiring-entry, 1989) 7 Horse Box...$ Horse Field...$504 Notable: The last favorite to finish third VALUE 8 Horse PLAYS: Box...$336 Speed figures suggest that MARK VALESKI (Example: could 1/All/All/All be or All/1/All/All was Indian or All/All/1/All Charlie in or All/ All/ All/1) an overlay of the century (30-1 or higher?). Comparative handicappers will trifecta dismiss him wheels: after poor ($1 showings Wager) by his two latest One conquerors Horse with and Two an Horses with EXACTA All with All PAYOFFS iffy One pedigree. Horse with Still, All the with price All will be right. DADDY NOSE BEST 7 Horse and Field. TAKE... $40 (Last 25 years, $2 Payoffs) CHARGE (Example: INDY 1/All/All might or also All/1/All be overlooked or All/All/1) at the windows. 8 Horse Field.... $60 Average: $ Horse Field...$30 9 Horse Field....$84 High: $9, WAGERING 8 Horse Field...$42 STRATEGIES ($100): 10 Horse Field...$112 (Giacomo-Closing Argument, 2005) $20 Win: 9 Horse BODEMEISTER Field...$56 (Example: 1/ 2/ All/ All or 2/ 1/ All/ All or 1/ All/ All/ 2 or 2/ All/ All/ 1 ($20) Low: $15.20 $10 10 Exacta Horse Part-Wheel: Field...$72 or All/ All/ 1/ 2 or All/ All/ 2/ 1) BODEMEISTER with CREATIVE CAUSE and (Sunday Silence-Easy Goer, 1989) I LL HAVE ANOTHER ($20) One Horse with Two Horses with All Superfecta Keys: ($1 Wager) Notable: Since the mutuel field was $1 Trifecta (Example: Box: 1/2/All BODEMEISTER, or 2/1/All or 1/All/2 CREATIVE or 2/a CAUSE, I LL 1 HAVE Horse with ANOTHER, 3 others... abolished in 2001, the average exacta $6 DULLAHAN All ll/1 or All/1/2 and MARK or All/2/1) VALESKI ($60) (Example: 1/2, 3, 4/2, 3, 4/2, 3, 4) has paid $1, Horse Field...$10 1 Horse with 4 others... $24 8 Horse Field...$12 Synthetic-to-Derby Trifecta (Example: 1/2, 3, 4, 5/2, 3, 4, 5/2, Kentucky Derby trifectas in four of the last five years have included at least Know 3, 4, 5) This: 9 Horse Field...$14 1 Horse with 5 others... one horse that had prepped most recently on a synthetic surface. Street Florida s Finest $60 10 Horse Field...$16 (Example: 1/2, 3, 4, 5, 6/2, 3, 4, 5, 6/2, 3, 4, 5, 6) Sense and Animal Kingdom won after the surface switch, Hard Spun, 5 of the last 6 Kentucky Derby winters spent 1 Horse with 6 others...$120 Pioneer of the Nile and Paddy O Prado all hit the board. (Example: 1/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7/2, 3, 4, the 5, 6, bulk 7/2, of 3, their 4, 5, 6, 3-year-old 7) winter-spring 1 Horse with 7 others...$210 seasons stabled in the state of Florida. New (Example: 1/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8/2, 3, Mexico-based 4, 5, 6, 7, 8/2, 3, Mine 4, 5, 6, That 7, 8) Bird in 2009 was the only exception. 1. BODEMEISTER 2. creative cause 3. I LL HAVE ANOTHER 4. DULLAHAN BELMONT Daily Late-Breaking Wagering Online Updates Guide Begin Updates June 5 Available Online Daily Beginning Tuesday, June 5

8 No Payn, No Gain by Mike Battaglia NBC Sports Analyst ANALYSIS: All eyes will be on I LL HAVE ANOTHER as he attempts to become racing s 12th Triple Crown winner. He ran an excellent race in the Derby and came back with an even better performance in the Preakness to run down Bodemeister, who was loose on the lead and never stopped running at any point. I LL HAVE ANOTHER is bred to get the mile and one-half, and Doug O Neill has done a great job keeping this horse in top form. The one weakness could be young jockey Mario Gutierrez. I know he has done a tremendous job so far, but at the added distance and with the sweeping Belmont turns, the third leg of the Triple Crown definitely is a jockey s race. Gutierrez is the key to I LL HAVE ANOTHER S attempt at greatness. MAIN CONTENDERS: I LL HAVE ANOTHER will be an odds-on favorite and has an excellent chance to complete his Triple Crown bid, but there are several in here capable of upsetting. PAYNTER is a very interesting horse. His fourth-place finish behind the favorite in the Santa Anita Derby was a very good race considering it was just his second career start and he broke poorly. Bob Baffert has been playing catch up with this one all year and he is sitting on a career-best performance. DULLAHAN closed strongly in the Derby to finish third and Javier Castellano, who has had plenty of experience over the tricky Belmont surface, picks up the mount for Dale Romans, who has a stellar record in Triple Crown races. UNION RAGS has been compromised by tough trips in his last two, and Michael Matz picks up Hall of Fame rider Johnny Velazquez, who also knows his way around Big Sandy. VALUE PLAYS: PAYNTER has gotten better with every start. Baffert gave him a confidence booster on the Preakness undercard, and his pedigree suggests that he can get the mile and one-half. Anything close to 10-1 would make him tough to pass up. DULLAHAN will need a fast pace. Castellano will be waiting in the wings, and if the pace is fast and I LL HAVE ANOTHER makes a premature move, watch out for DULLAHAN down the lane. UNION RAGS is a bit of a puzzle, but he ran one of his best races over this track last year to win the Champagne. $40 Win: PAYNTER $10 Trifecta Box: PAYNTER, I LL HAVE ANOTHER and DULLAHAN 1. paynter 2. i ll have another 3. dullahan 4. union rags BELMONT WINNERS IN TC RACES (Since 2000) Year Horse TC Race 2011 Ruler On Ice none 2010 Drosselmeyer none 2009 Summer Bird Derby 2008 Da Tara none 2007 Rags to Riches none 2006 Jazil Derby 2005 Afleet Alex Derby, Preakness 2004 Birdstone Derby 2003 Empire Maker Derby 2002 Sarava none 2001 Point Given Derby, Preakness 2000 Commendable Derby DERBY, PREAKNESS TOP 4 IN BELMONT (Since 2000) Year Horse Fin Shackleford 5th 2011 Animal Kingdom 6th 2009 Mine That Bird 3rd 2008 Big Brown dnf 2007 Curlin 2nd 2007 Hard Spun 4th 2005 Afleet Alex 1st 2005 Giacomo 7th 2004 Smarty Jones 2nd 2003 Funny Cide 3rd 2002 War Emblem 8th 2002 Proud Citizen 5th 2000 Impeachment 5th LARGEST CROWDS Attendance Winner Year 120,139 Birdstone ,222 Sarava ,864 Empire Maker ,476 Da Tara ,818 Lemon Drop Kid 1999 Largest Non-TC Bid Crowd: 73,857 (Point Given, 2001)

9 After 34 Years... It s About Time by Jeff Siegel HRTV Analyst ANALYSIS: One of the obstacles -- perhaps the most daunting one -- that confronts a would-be Triple Crown winner in the Belmont Stakes is the taxing, demanding distance of a mile and one-half. For example, the marathon journey brought back to earth Smarty Jones and Spectacular Bid, two colts which otherwise stood head and shoulders above their competition. But the Belmont s 12-furlong trip should not have a negative impact on I LL HAVE ANOTHER; in fact, the son of Flower Alley actually is bred to improve as the distances increase while the same cannot be said about a few of his major rivals. Theoretically, the third jewel should be the least difficult of the three for Doug O Neill s colt. MAIN CONTENDERS: UNION RAGS has proven Grade 1-winning form over Belmont Park s main track, and after skipping the Preakness, the son of Dixie Union should be primed and ready to show his stuff. Never the handiest of runners, he ran much better than the line will show in the Kentucky Derby and will relish Belmont s wide, sweeping turns. However, we re not necessarily convinced he s a true mile and one-half colt. DULLAHAN also has the benefit of five weeks rest, but in recent races he s employed a one-run, deep closing style. The steady, tactical, grind em out types usually have an edge at the Belmont distance. Stranger danger comes from PAYNTER, who was sensational winning an overnight race on Preakness day and earned a giant figure in the process. In what was only his second career outing, he wasn t beaten badly by I LL HAVE ANOTHER in the Santa Anita Derby despite a rough start. He may very well be this year s Coastal. VALUE PLAYS: If you all but concede the Belmont Stakes to I LL HAVE ANOTHER we re pretty much doing that the main focus should be on which colt can finish second. PAYNTER is bred to stay, he s fast on numbers, he s fresh and rapidly improving, and he s trained by Bob Baffert, who has failed three times himself when trying to win a Triple Crown in New York. Maybe it s his turn to play the role of a spoiler. $45 Exacta Box: I LL HAVE ANOTHER and PAYNTER ($90) $10 Win: PAYNTER ($10) 1. I LL HAVE ANOTHER 2. PAYNTER 3. UNION RAGS 4. DULLAHAN RAN IN ALL THREE TC RACES TO WIN (Since 1990) Year Horse 2005 Afleet Alex 2001 Point Given 1998 Victory Gallop 1996 Editor s Note 1995 Thunder Gulch 1994 Tabasco Cat 1991 Hansel HIGHEST ODDS FOR TC BID (Odds to $1) Odds Horse Year 1.60 Charismatic Gallant Fox Assault Majestic Prince War Emblem 2002 LOWEST ODDS FOR TC BID (Odds to $1) Odds Horse Year.05 Count Fleet Secretariat Tim Tam Citation Big Brown Spectacular Bid 1979 Single Crown 4 of the last 5 Belmont Stakes renewals have been won by horses making their Triple Crown race debuts, the filly Rags to Riches in 2007, Da Tara in 2008, Drosselmeyer in 2010 and Ruler on Ice in Baltimore to New York Detour Since 2000, the only Belmont winners to have participated in the Preakness were Point Given (2001) and Afleet Alex (2005).

10 Triple Crown Drought Ends by Jon White HRTV & Santa Anita Analyst ANALYSIS: My top pick in the Xpressbet Kentucky Derby Wagering Guide was I LL HAVE ANOTHER. He won and paid $32.60! After the Derby, I predicted I LL HAVE ANOTHER would sweep the Triple Crown. I LL HAVE ANOTHER also was my top pick in the Preakness Wagering Guide. He won and paid $8.40. At this point, I see absolutely no reason to back away from my Triple Crown prediction. So once again, I LL HAVE ANOTHER is my top pick in the Belmont Wagering Guide. The bad news for bettors is that I LL HAVE ANOTHER, no doubt, will be the favorite this time. Interestingly, I LL HAVE ANOTHER will be the first horse in history to seek a Triple Crown sweep in the Belmont without having been the favorite at least once previously. While the Belmont s mile and one-half has proved too far for many a Triple Crown aspirant, one of the many reasons I believe I LL HAVE ANOTHER can win again is his stamina-rich pedigree. I think I LL HAVE ANOTHER will relish the distance. His adaptability to any pace scenario is another plus. I also believe Bodemeister s absence from the Belmont field certainly bodes well for I LL HAVE ANOTHER S chances to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in MAIN CONTENDERS: The way I see the 2012 Belmont, the main contenders are I LL HAVE ANOTHER, DULLAHAN, UNION RAGS and PAYNTER. But DULLAHAN has yet to finish better than third on dirt. I will be surprised if DULLAHAN beats I LL HAVE ANOTHER on dirt. UNION RAGS has lost three of his last four, while I LL HAVE ANOTHER has won four straight. UNION RAGS breeding suggests one and one-half miles might be farther than he prefers to go. VALUE PLAYS: PAYNTER is talented and bred to do well at the Belmont distance, but he s light on racing experience and already was defeated by I LL HAVE ANOTHER in the Santa Anita Derby. $80 Win: I LL HAVE ANOTHER ($80) $6 Exacta Part-Wheel: I LL HAVE ANOTHER with DULLAHAN, UNION RAGS and PAYNTER ($18) $2 Win: I LL HAVE ANOTHER as a souvenir ticket to keep if he wins the Triple Crown ($2) 1. I ll have another 2. dullahan 3. union rags 4. paynter WINNING BELMONT POST POSITIONS (Since 1905) Post Wins Post Wins ACTIVE BELMONT-WINNING JOCKEYS Jockey Year Horse Jose Valdivia, Jr Ruler On Ice Mike Smith 2010 Drosselmeyer Kent Desormeaux 2009 Summer Bird Alan Garcia 2008 Da Tara John Velazquez 2007 Rags to Riches Fernando Jara 2006 Jazil Jeremy Rose 2005 Afleet Alex Edgar Prado 2004 Birdstone 2002 Sarava Woody s World Perhaps no record in Thoroughbred racing history is safer than Woody Stephens unfathomable streak of saddling five consecutive Belmont Stakes winners. The streak began when Conquistador Cielo came back just 5 days after winning the Grade 1 Met Mile to score the 1982 Belmont. Stephens added trophies with Caveat, Swale, Crème Fraiche and Danzig Connection. Only Swale was favored. Oldest Triple Crown Event The Belmont Stakes, first run in 1867, is the oldest Triple Crown event. It predates the Preakness by six years and the Kentucky Derby by eight.

11 He ll Have Another by Dick Jerardi Philadelphia Daily News Columnist ANALYSIS: I am a believer. I LL HAVE ANOTHER has raced four times in 2012 and has not lost. I did not talk to a single person who thought the Kentucky Derby winner was going to catch Bodemeister with a quarter-mile left in the Preakness. You can watch hundreds of races and not see anything quite like it. I LL HAVE ANOTHER really should not have been able to win, but it was an absolute thrill to watch the colt just keep reaching out until he got there. Given the lack of early pace, I LL HAVE ANOTHER, fast enough to lead the Best Pal (at six and one-half furlongs) as a 2-year-old, should be very close throughout the race. The mile and one-half distance and the third race in five weeks are the two issues that cannot be measured for this talented colt going after the elusive Triple Crown. Five of the last 12 Belmont winners ran in the Derby and then passed the Preakness. Add in Kentucky Oaks winner Rags to Riches, and that five-week time frame has worked wonders for recent Belmont winners. Therefore, DULLAHAN (third in the Derby and rolling late) and UNION RAGS (seventh in the Derby, but essentially eliminated at the break) have to be taken very seriously. MAIN CONTENDERS: The numbers say what your eyes tell you. I LL HAVE ANOTHER is getting better with each race. The colt has never been favored in seven starts. He will be favored to win the first Triple Crown in 34 years. UNION RAGS may be the second choice off reputation. An eyecatching 2-year-old, UNION RAGS has yet to run any faster as a 3-year-old. Trainer Michael Matz is convinced it is because the big colt simply has not had a chance to run. DULLAHAN is in the very capable hands of Dale Romans, who gets his horses ready to run at their peak in the biggest races. PAYNTER was a solid fourth in the Santa Anita Derby in just his second start. His allowance win on Preakness Day was dazzling, even though against weak competition. And you just know trainer Bob Baffert would like to beat I LL HAVE ANOTHER. VALUE PLAYS: PAYNTER may very well be lone speed in a race with very little pace. His 106 Beyer in that Preakness Day allowance suggests an improving horse with major talent, the very definition of dangerous in the Belmont. $50 Exacta Box: I LL HAVE ANOTHER and UNION RAGS ($100) ODDS-ON BELMONT FAVORITES (Since 1940) Total: 31 Winners: 12 Win %: 38.7 Last to Compete: Big Brown (.30-to-1, 2008) Last to Win: Affirmed (.60-to-1, 1978) LARGEST FIELD IN TC CLINCHER No. Horse Year 8 Seattle Slew Citation War Admiral Assault 1946 MOST FOES FACED DURING TC WIN Foes Horse Year 32 War Admiral Assault Seattle Slew Omaha Gallant Fox 1930 Chalk No More 60 of 143 previous Belmont Stakes have been won by favorites (42%). However, 8 of the last 13 Belmont winners have been 11-to-1 or more on the toteboard. Crowded House The 29 rivals I ll Have Another already has defeated in the Derby and Preakness is the identical number of rivals defeated by Citation and Count Fleet combined in all three of their Triple Crown victories. The Last Gelding to Win: Ruler Once Ice (2011) 1. I LL HAVE ANOTHER 2. UNION RAGS 3. DULLAHAN 4. PAYNTER

12 Test Clock Strikes 12 by Steve Byk At the Races with Steve Byk (SiriusXM) Host ANALYSIS: As we ready for the 2012 edition of the Belmont Stakes, the number 12 is a recurrent theme. J. Paul Reddam s I LL HAVE ANOTHER will exit the 12-furlong Test of the Champion as either the sport s 12th Triple Crown winner or the 12th horse to fail at the task since Affirmed in While the extended drought between troika negotiators has eclipsed the gap between Citation (1948) and Secretariat (1973), we have seen harrowing near-misses by Smarty Jones, Real Quiet and Silver Charm in the last 15 years that make the accomplishment feel achievable. I LL HAVE ANOTHER should have every opportunity to make history June 9. MAIN CONTENDERS: Though exotics invaders in recent Belmont have been an esoteric variety, 67% of superfecta participants have been runners from one or both of the earlier Crown events (16 out of 24 since 2006). Besides the dual-classic winner, DULLAHAN, OPTIMIZER and UNION RAGS are the Derby-Preakness veterans expected to line up in New York. Dale Romans (DULLAHAN) and Michael Matz (UNION RAGS) also point their charges toward the Belmont with new pilots (Javy Castellano and John Velazquez, respectively). VALUE PLAYS: PAYNTER is lightly-raced and exceedingly dangerous from the Bodemeister team of Bob Baffert-Ahmed Zayat-Mike Smith. In addition to being by a BC Classic-winning sire, PAYNTER is out of Tizso, a full sister of two-time BC Classic winner Tiznow. His facile Pimlico allowance win three weeks ago may not have been against anyone of note, but he is a fleet, free-runner who could be alone on the lead or available to hound I LL HAVE ANOTHER at any point. $5 Trifecta Part-Wheel: DULLAHAN, UNION RAGS, PAYNTER with I LL HAVE ANOTHER with DULLAHAN, UNION RAGS, PAYNTER, ATIGUN, STREET LIFE ($60) $2 Trifecta Part-Wheel: I LL HAVE ANOTHER with DULLAHAN, UNION RAGS, PAYNTER with DULLAHAN, UNION RAGS, PAYNTER, ATIGUN, STREET LIFE ($24) $1 Exacta Part-Wheel: DULLAHAN, UNION RAGS, PAYNTER with DULLAHAN, UNION RAGS, PAYNTER, ATIGUN, STREET LIFE ($12) 1. i ll have another 2. PAYNTER 3. DULLAHAN 4. UNION RAGS FASTEST WINNING TIMES Time Horse Year 2:24 Secretariat :26 Easy Goer 1989 A.P. Indy :26-2/5 Point Given 2001 Risen Star :26-4/5 Affirmed 1978 BIGGEST BLOWOUTS (Since 1905, Lengths) Margin Horse Year 31 Secretariat Count Fleet Man o War /4 Risen Star Conquistador Cielo Bet Twice /2 Point Given 2001 TC S BIGGEST SPOILERS Payoff Horse Year $ Sarava 2002 $ Sherluck 1961 $79.00 Da Tara 2008 $74.00 Birdstone 2004 $71.00 Pass Catcher 1971 WORST FINISH IN A TC BID Fin. Horse Year Dnf Big Brown th War Emblem th Carry Back 1971 (27 out of 30 finished 4th or better) Front-End Heists Winning the mile and one-half Belmont in wire-to-wire fashion is not easy. In fact, Da Tara s wire job in 2008 was the first in the final jewel of the Triple Crown since Swale in 1984.

13 COVERAGE BEGINS: Saturday, June 9 at 11 AM ET