my fav. angle comes into play sat.

as empire maker fits the bill perfectly!!! If ya don't know what it is; then read the fav. angles thread, and as a coutesty post one of yore own!!!!

 

[Maxxer]

I guess you're saying you like the distance pedigree stretching out. In which case, you'll need Empire Maker to win to get you back some of the Kentucky Derby money you lost on him when he tried 1 1/4 mi for the 1st time.

Best of Luck

 

actually played peace rules wp in the derby, ouch! In reality for the belmont does not fit my angle at all; since you want a first timer against horses who have already been running the distance but not shown any improvement!!! Posted this thread just to get some responses or thoughts. Have heard some so called "experts" say E.M. has the best breeding for this distance, whereas other self proclaimed pundits are saying actually F.C. has as good or better distance background???

 

[Cerveza]

I'm one of those that feels the distance could be a problem for Funny Cide. He doesn't have the strongest bloodline for 1m 1/4 + , but hell, he hasn't done anything wrong yet and pedigree isn't everything.

 

[johnnie2times]

He also has the home court in his corner.Chris Clement feels he will get the money and he is a tough trainer.

 

[Matt24]

is the belmont usually this short of a field?

 

[gino]

I have Empire WP here as well sammy--but will back it up with Scrimshaw-IF--and it's a big IF--he can get loose on front end (who will challenge?-can Funny Cide risk forcing the pace??) he should like off going/distance. Clement horse-and my first reaction is "grass horse/grass trainer" but CC has been pretty damn good on Belmont Main going route (21%) and this horse is bred to handle dirt/off going--the jump from GR3 to GR1 is tough--but will use in tri boxes w/ 1-3-4. Wonder why Rice is in here-respect the hell out of her --esp. in moving horses up--but last win was open to 25k claimers? Whats up with that? also-10 most wanted--training in dry/firm california--i see as a huge disadvantage--Belmont/NY/east coast has been a swamp most of past 6 weeks.

Bottom line-if you think Empire/Funny are close in class-and one is 4-1--the other 3-5....not hard to figure out where the value is.

 

[Mosi]

Some info I read about the breeding of Empire Maker and Funny Cide and their potential to go the distance:

"Empire Maker, a high-class colt, eventually will add to his Grade I wins (Florida Derby and Wood Memorial). But no offspring of his esteemed dam, Toussaud, has won a Grade I race on dirt beyond 1 1/8 miles,,,"

"Funny Cides speed and pace numbers at 1 mile and 1 3/16 miles suggests a mismatch, and a maternal family that includes two Belmont winners stamps him as one horse in the field to whom 1 1/2 miles will pose no problem."

That sounds about right since I love Empire Maker at 4-1.

Best of luck!