#1  CARLINO.  Jockey: Jose Lezcano.  Trainer: Mark Hennig.  ML 30-1

#2 GRONKOWSKI.  Jockey: Jose Ortiz.  Trainer: Chad Brown. ML 4-1

#3  MENDELSSOHN.  Jockey: Ryan Moore.  Trainer: Aidan O’Brien.  ML 7-2

#4  PATCH.  Jockey: Louis Saez.  Trainer: Todd Pletcher.  ML 20-1

#5  UNO MAS MODELO.  Jockey: Javier Castellano.  Trainer: Anthony Quartarolo ML 30-1

#6  DIVERSIFY.  Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.  Trainer: Richard Violette Jr.  ML 4-5

#7  DISCREET LOVER.  Jockey: Manuel Franco.  Trainer: Uriah St. Lewis.  ML 15-1

#8  THUNDER SNOW.  Jockey: Christophe Soumillon.  Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor.  ML 6-1

These are the eight runners who will compete in this years JGC at Belmont Park.  It is raced at the classic distance of one mile & 1/4 over the main track.  The purse for this contest is $750,000 dollars, with a scheduled post time of 5:50.  Along with the purse money, the winner here also earns a spot in the Breeders Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on November third.

DIVERSIFY is certainly the horse to beat here, and is worthy of his paltry 4-5 Morning-Line odds.  He has got the best speed numbers in the field and is the epitome of a “horses for courses” betting angle, as he has had eight starts on this track with six victories and two second place finishes.

But as regular viewers of the Daily Racing Blog are aware, we are always on the lookout for Value.  So we’ll try to beat the 4-5 favorite with either; DISCREET LOVER, or THUNDER SNOW.  If DIVERSIFY beats us so be it, as a stand-alone bet he will offer no return on investment.  Best of luck and value.