The Belmont Stakes is a grueling 1.5 mile ‘Test of Champions’.  Whether a Triple Crown is in the offing or not, horses (in America) generally top out at a mile and a quarter for their longest race(s).  Add to that the weight of having won the first two legs of the series, and in position to become a TC winner, it is a daunting task.  JUSTIFY is the latest horse to find himself on the threshold of greatness.  The pursuit of the Triple Crown is good for the horse racing industry.  When a horse wins The Kentucky Derby, and then moves on to win The Preakness, anyone interested in sports is aware of the Triple Crown threat, and three weeks later all eyes turn to Belmont Park Racetrack in Elmont, NY.  It is certainly JUSTIFY’s race to lose, and there will be many casual bettors holding $2.00 Win tickets rooting for him, and that’s great.  But DRB is about value, and making bank on a 4-5 favorite is not going to happen.  That said, here is DRB’s play:

VINO ROSSO to win.  It was kind of obvious that DRB was initially leaning toward HOFBURG, but most handicappers have him as the biggest threat to JUSTIFY.  Which in turn will drive his odds down and make him the likely second choice at 3-1 or lower.  So at a morning line of 8-1 and the very successful jockey, trainer combination of Johnny Velazquez, and Todd Pletcher, we’ll take a shot with VINO ROSSO.

DRB will do a trifecta key using VINO ROSSO (8) on top (he must win) and put JUSTIFY (1), HOFBURG (4) TENFOLD (7) & BLENDED CITIZEN (10) underneath. (finish 2nd and 3rd in any order)  So at the betting window it would be; a $1 trifecta key, the 8, with the 1-4-7-10.  DRB will certainly use JUSTIFY and HOFBURG in multiple race wagers such as pick 3’s and pick 4’s.

If JUSTIFY wins, we celebrate the greatness that is him, and trainer Bob Baffert, as it would be ‘The Baff’s’ second Triple Crown winner in the last three years.  (AMERICAN PHAROAH won the Triple Crown in 2015)

Have some fun and best of luck.