As a game ambassador and someone who always wants to "grow the game," I love the wave of weekend warriors who flock to the Triple Crown races. The more eyes on horse racing, the better. Especially with the unfortunate closing of tracks and increasing backlash from the idiots at PETA. Horse racing needs as many fans as possible. But what I can't stand during this stretch of racing are The Triple Clowns. The bunch of "know it alls" with big opinions and small bet slips. It is funny because these people don't show their faces for the Breeders Cup, or any other big stakes day. Only during the Triple Crown do these casuals come out to play. Unfortunately (and really to no surprise) one of these personalities exists within the walls of OneTakeMedia. Now, if anyone was to actually read this they may be sitting there thinking, "Well who could that be? Is it Producer Reese?"
Surprisingly, the answer is no. Reese is not the Triple Clown inside OTM. In fact, Reese is too busy blogging about random bull shit happening in one of Californias armpit to even realize that there is a loaded card at Saratoga today. And honestly, at least Reese has been around/ridden a horse. I actually would listen to his opinion if he had one. However, I question if at times Reese has had the freedom to have his own opinion since joining this lifestyle company. But that is a topic for another day.
The Triple Clown at OTM is the same guy who wore a suit to mope around at Golden Gate Fields, yup -- Dan O'Connor. Now a lot of folks may be quick to say I'm picking on Dan or always critical of him. No I am not, I am fair. In my Preakness preview I gave Dan his roses, he had Mystik Dan. He took the casual angle of name play and picked the horse with his name, which honestly, I respect much more than what he is doing for the Belmont. He likes the #1 Seize the Grey and his analysis is there are ten horses in the Belmont and it is shorter because it's at Saratoga. Hard hitting stuff there folks. The part he left out of his analysis was his idol Dave Portnoy (whom he has a shrine dedicated to in his studio apartment) mentioned STG in his Belmont Preview. So part of this is his ongoing shtick. Dan knows so little about horse racing he wants to not engage in any intelligent conversation around STG's performance in the Preakness. Talking points like it being a fluke over a sloppy track and an uncontested easy pace fall on death ears.
I wish Dan luck today; Ethereum is at 3.6k maybe he will actually make a wager. Dan could earn my respect if he put his money where his mouth is and made a wager; in fact he could take advantage of FanDuel Racing (RIP TVG) $500 sweat free bet, a great way to get your action in during this loaded day of racing. New players can take advantage here: https://racing.fanduel.com/promos/RACNSB500APR24V2
Now onto the important topic, the Belmont Stakes. First off, this card today is awesome. I am very excited for the card today and honestly, this Belmont Stakes race is shaping up to be a terrific betting race and viewing race. As a lifelong racing fan; I love deep closers with ability. There is something so exhilarating about cheering home a horse coming from way back that is unlike any other sports viewing/betting experience. And there are few better feelings than picking a winner who closes. You get the internal satisfaction of "knowing that is exactly how that race would play out" it is the best. With that being said, I fucking love Sierra Leone as a horse. And it feels so obvious here in this spot, I mean look at it really:
Sierra Leone is going to be a short price which sucks. I also am paying particular attention to how the track is playing and so far it seems to be favoring horses stalking/rating. We saw the first deep closer favorite in the third have nothing coming home. Joel Rosario was aboard and he loves to sleep for the first 3/4ths of a race, so I'm taking that with a grain of salt. But that is my fear, short price closer he needs a good trip. Easier to work out a good trip in this race opposed to the Derby and Sierra Leone has done nothing wrong in any of his starts. Strong argument to be made he should be undefeated had he gotten breaks in 2 of his starts. If you can grab Sierra Leone at 8/5 or better, I think he warrants a big play. And if he somehow stays at 2/1 (which is what he is at now) then I'll go out on my shield.
There is a lot of speed in this race and there is going to be a very contentious pace set. To show the level of intelligence I am dealing with here, me calling out the objective fact that there are a lot of horses who are going to want to go fast is funny to the Triple Clown. He keeps tweeting about it for some odd reason. With that being said, I actually think that this race should shake out quite nicely for Prat/Sierra Leone. I trust that he will be able to get him out of the gate cleanly and not sit too far back today. What needs to happen is Sieze the Grey needs to be pressed (likely by Dornoch). If that happens, I actually think we see a rematch between Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone in the stretch. Though I am curious what Mystik Dan has left in the tank. He has ran two grueling races in the last 5 weeks -- he held on for his life in the Derby and ran a great race across a sloppy track at Pimlico and just looked a bit spent. Still a very nice horse who I think people are taking a bit lightly today.
With that being said; I'm sticking with my opinion I had instantly after the Derby which was Sierra Leone will win the Belmont. And if I can get 2-1 I really like the horse. There it is, the pick of the Belmont folks.
I do want to say; I am all the way out on Mindframe. He is a toss out the window for me. He has run two races (one at Gulfstream and Churchill) and won easy sure, but this is a big step up for him. I don't understand all of the hype, some east coast/NY Repole bias bull shit. I can't stand New York sport fans or New York horse racing fans. This horse is not the next Flightline and if he proves me wrong then so be it. I would happily lose to Mindframe, nothing about this horse meets my eye in this spot. That race at Churchill (speed bias track) was over a sloppy track got an easy pace and there wasn't a lot of talent there. Gulfstream park... I am not going to even write about Gulfstream.
If you are looking for a horse that could surprise at a price; I actually think that the #2 Resilience (10-1 ML) is a horse worth taking a peek at. His sixth place finish at the Derby I think was actually quite impressive. He was close to a super hot pace that day, forced wide, and was a threat late. He also beat a lot of good horses that day. If he takes a step forward, is able to rate off the pace he could be a threat late here. He had a good workout the other day and should be fresh skipping the Preakness. Got to like Mott taking a shot here with him... dark horse of this race from my perspective.
As an actual fan of horse racing, I am going to go take a shower get dressed and park myself in the simulcast room at Golden Gate Fields with other true degenerates. Dan is probably prepping for Frog Day instead of watching racing. Best of luck today to those playing.
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Great blog - need some of these betting apps to accept crypto...