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It's normally the third leg of the Triple Crown but this year it is the first leg and has a different trip but it's still the Belmont Grade 1.
It is the fifth of the five graded stakes on the card and has an even-money favourite – Tiz The Law, a son of Constitution, with Mario Franco riding for Barclay Tagg. Many of these 10 runners have not had a prep that gives much idea of their form however Sole Volante has does enough for him to come in on a 9/2 quote. Dr Post is very lightly raced so this outing could be a bit too soon although coming from Todd Pletcher's yard he should be kept safe. We like the sound of Tap It To Win on 6/1 for Mark Casse and John Velazquez.
The first two of the graded stakes races have ridiculously small fields with 5 in the Woody Stephens and 7 in the Pennine Ridge. For the former it looks to be between Meru and Mischevious Alex on the joint quote of 5/2. In the Pennine Ridge 1600m turf Decorated Hero for Christophe Clement is on 6/5 with next best Proven Strategies on 3/1.
The Acorn is Gr 1 for 3yo fillies over 1600m and also has only got 7 runners. Baffert's shipper Gamine is on evens with Casual on 3/1.
The Jaipur Gr 1 is over 1200m turf and Clement's Pure Sensation holds the call on 5/2 with Stubbins on 3/1 and Aussie-bred Oleksandra (Animal Kingdom) is 7/2 with Joel Rosario riding for Neil Drysdale.
They are racing at Churchill Downs with the Gr 2 Wise Dan the highlight. It's over 1700m on the turf track and has 11 starters. Factor This 8/5 is fancied over Parlor 9/2 with March To The Arch on 5/1 and Aquaphobia 6/1 being the runners at single figures.