Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

ML/NJ — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:09:46 GMT

Am I committing some sort of felony if I talk about the Kentucky Derby withou mentioning Yum Brands?

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

PomDeTerre — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:51:13 GMT

I also have to take a pass on BS- regardless of pedigree, he hasn't done much to impress me. I do think MOH will be a threat if he's not jet lagged, and I can't wait to see how Nehro, AK and Shack run. Safe race all.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

DerbyFever — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:43:22 GMT

Excellent pedigree research regarding all the Belmont winners! How ironic that a horse you'd envision as a sprinter based on the name may in fact be our next Belmont winner.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

livewire — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:31:07 GMT

Just reading the article on Uncle Mo's progress and the official diagnosis it probably hasn't escaped most but particularly Todd Pletcher that Devil May Care who recently passed was also diagnosed with hepatitis. I would imagine that Todd Pletcher will be reviewing all supplements, feed, policies and procedures very carefully now that a second top horse of his has a similar diagnosis.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

BigRedForever — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:18:37 GMT

I believe in pedigree; especially in certain races. The BELMONT is one of those races.

Aside from Secretariat, only 5 horses have run sub 2:27. Three of those have a Secretariat pedigree, the other two Native Dancer. Add a sprinkling of Northern Dancer, not to mention great broodmare sires and it becomes obvious to me that those 5 winners were bred for the course.

While this does not assure anything for Brilliant Speed, he deserves a look. Some have entered the gate at Big Sandy with all the upside you could want, yet failed. Perhaps he gets outrun, but he won't be short.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

5starday — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:52:06 GMT

ANIMAL KINGGDOM will win belmont by largest margin since BIG RED. I said it and I believe it.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Zenyatta John — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:13:32 GMT

Great article about the bloodlines of Brilliant Speed.

I think the Belmont will come down to Nehro and Animal Kingdom.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Bellwether — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:05:09 GMT

MASTER OF HOUNDS IS A WEEK LATE GETTING TO BELMONT PARK...

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Animal Lover — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 11:43:06 GMT

I can't see Shack hanging for this race, but I can see Animal Kingdom and Brilliant Speed being there, and I like Harlan's Hello....

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Tammicat — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 11:19:55 GMT

OMG...I'm prepared for an "army of Belmont Stakes ghosts" to appear. Gives me chills. What a sight that would be, huh Steve...

P.S. Animal Kingdom is the winnah and I too hate that he missed the triple crown!!!

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

mets1962 — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 11:03:12 GMT

Steve excellent report. Problem I am having sizing up the field is most of these contenders are deep closers and really bred for grass. while they certainly will get the distance not sure about the kick back of dirt from big sandy. If Shack is left to lope along he could be very tough to catch.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

BillC — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:41:02 GMT

My pick by far is AK it is said that it is a even field I think AK is heads above this field and will be odds on and should be. He was brillant in the Derby jock waited alittle to long in the Preakness he looks fabulous now and he will show them all how a mile and a half is run in the Belmont.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Stones — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:28:14 GMT

I'm liking a BS, AK, Santiva box.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Moodygirl — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:32:07 GMT

I have a friend who is a big Buckpasser fan & Brilliant Speed gave him a reason to root for a horse this year. He was impressed by his pedigree also & we have been hoping he would do better but maybe the best is yet to come!

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

The Deacon — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:41:24 GMT

Wow Steve, now that was impressive......a who's who among racing greats. I am very impressed.

I Still like Animal Kingdom and Nehro, head and head down the stretch...........

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Matt Helm — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:08:49 GMT

I agree Steve i think Brilliant Speed is very live.Great ped,top rate trainer and owner.Also love MOH they aren't coming back here for second money.Even Stay Thirsty is interesting Pletcher is always more playable at a price then the chalk.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

JohnnySDG — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 02:49:32 GMT

Why can't turf writers stop writing "kentucky derby presented by YUM! Brands" Enough already. Why don't they just present the winnging horse with a taco bell grilled stuffed steak burrito instead of roses?

I was reading the story about AK's workout and is said "the kentucky derby presented by YUM! brands winner...." I wanted to throw up my happy meal.

It is so far over the top its not even funny. Its the kentucky derby!

I love animal kingdom but I almost wish he didn't run so I don't have to read things like "AK, winner of the kentucky derby presented by YUM! brands just couldn't get it done".

With all that said.....AK and Nehro 1-2 or the other way.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Abigail Anderson — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 02:47:47 GMT

Steve: Love the pedigree of Brilliant Speed -- if he got the heart gene from Secretariat's influence, he may relish Big Sandy. And poor Master of Hounds! Why would they have shipped him home instead of letting him get acclimatized to this side of The Pond and the Belmont track? I'm also excited to see what Animal Kingdom & Shackleford will do, although, like a previous post, I have to admit that I've been conditioned to the Belmont winner coming from out of the clouds....

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Karen in Indiana — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 02:45:53 GMT

Thank you very much for the reports. Love the photo of Animal Kingdom with your article on his work - was that taken today during his work? While his personality seems very different, his form reminds me of Seattle Slew - balanced and powerful. Am I hallucinating or wishful thinking? Also, thanks for the details on Brilliant Speed's pedigree.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Alex'sBigFan — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:56:09 GMT

Who,

In Big Brown's Belmont, Big Brown wasn't even "Big Brown." He was spent before the race, his momentum was broken between the Preakness and Belmont which Steve pointed out back then due to missed training due to the quarter crack, he freaked out in the detention barn for hours, it was 95 degrees, he threw a shoe or something, the starter was in his lane on the track at the start, the whole race had to be a toss for him. He came undone before the starting gate, then was pulled up at the finish, right in front of me, in a horror show because he was fighting Desormeaux. Zito himself, let alone his horse, could have raced and won against Big Brown that day!!! I loved Big Brown, he is a spectacular looking animal and yet another near miss on a would-be TC winner.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Linda in Texas — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:38:27 GMT

Would love nothing more than for Brilliant Speed to live up to his name if for no other reason but for Gone West to be mentioned and his sire Mr. Prospector. Gone West has been gone for almost 2 years and was a favorite of mine. And so often i find his name in pedigrees and it makes me think of him fondly.

Thanks Steve and yes you certainly are all our eyes on the ground and definitely appreciated.

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Racingfan — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:36:28 GMT

Thanks for the great indepth analysis of Brilliant Speed! That's quite the distance pedigree!! Now I am second guessing my choices of Animal Kindgom first and Nehro second....

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Alex'sBigFan — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:36:25 GMT

Brilliant analysis of Brilliant Speed's pedigree. Thank you Steve. I can hardly contain myself at work and it's only Monday, I cannot wait to drive out to Belmont Park on Saturday! To see the contenders all in person is quite a thrill! I always pet one of the workhorses that rests by the tunnel between races, they are so cute and they work hard all day escorting thoroughbreds. He's white and I don't know his name but I hope he is there. This is Johnny V's race, he's got the homecourt advantage so to speak. Timing is critical on the wide sweeping oval of Big Sandy. You can't expend too much energy early and be left with too much to do. I'm sure Johnny V will time it just perfectly with AK. As much as I love all of them I am behind AK and Shack, as I keep saying we need consistent stars. I will love to see MOH, MMM, Santiva, Nehro, and Brilliant Speed.

The fillies, I believe in the Acorn, come out of the tunnel to "Sidewalks of New York" playing softly as they walk out. With no triple on the line, this is a fine field and shaping up to be quite a competitive race, should be exciting. I don't get it either, as several have alluded to above, why MOH was not left here after the Derby if they had intentions of entering him in the Belmont? He's probably en route to the airport now in Ireland and saying to himself, "here I go again." He should get a special award for trying so hard and for the thoroughbred with most time this year spent in the air.

Good luck to all with safe trips and go Animal Kingdom and Shackleford!!!

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Johnny — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:05:01 GMT

Brillant speed is my pick for the Belmont..

Closeing from 16 to 7th going that wide coming for home..

I am hoping to get 15-1 on him..

re: Haskin's Belmont Report: Bred Brilliantly for the Belmont

Dave R. — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:41:38 GMT

In my opinion it will be Animal Kingdom, Santiva, Shackleford, and Nehro 1-2-3-4 in the Belmont. Shackleford will lead and be tracked by Santiva who will collar him on the turn and will pass a stubborn Shackleford in mid stretch. Animal Kingdom will come from mid-pack and run them down to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Nehro will make a belated run from near the back to miss 3rd by a head. That's my take on the Belmont.