COVERITLIVE.COM

11:56

Jeff Duncan, T-P - You can start submitting your questions now. Bob will be online soon.

12:03

Doug Tatum, T-P - Bob, historically how do closers fare in the Belmont

12:06

Bob Fortus, T-P - Generally, closers are at a disadvantage in the Belmont, but if a horse is good enough, he can win. Victory Gallop, Editor's Note, Jazil and Afleet Alex won from off the pace in recent years. Because the race is so long, the fractions tend to be slow, and front-runners with stamina can keep going.

12:06

[Comment From Guest]
In your opinion, would Rachel Alexandra won the Belmont if she had entered?

12:08

Bob Fortus, T-P - I doubt it, and that's because Steve Asmussen and owner Jess Jackson didn't want to run her in the race. She had a very hard race in the Preakness, and coming back in three weeks would have been tough. On the other hand, if she hadn't run in the Preakness and was pointed to the Belmont after the Oaks, I think she would have had a great chance. But both races would have been too much.

12:09

[Comment From SS]
Bob, who do you like and why?

12:13

Bob Fortus, T-P - I'm going back and forth among three horses - Mine That Bird, Summer Bird and Charitable Man. Mine That Bird is the proven class, and he appears energetic. His style might make it tough for him. Summer Bird is an improving, lightly raced colt bred for long distances. I think he's an intriguing long shot, and the addition of blinkers might help put him into the race early. Charitable Man might be able to control the pace. How well he ran in the Peter Pan is a question, because his rivals in that race were questionable. I'm leaning toward picking the long shot, but reserve the right to change my mind before this afternoon's deadline.

12:14

Doug Tatum, T-P - Every year it seems like Nick Zito hits the board in the Belmont. What do you think of his entries this year?

12:16

Bob Fortus, T-P - After Da' Tara won for Zito last year, it makes sense to pay close attention to him. Miner's Escape, who has a distance pedigree and some early speed, looks more logical to me than Brave Victory, whose pedigree doesn't appear stamina-oriented.

12:18

[Comment From Guest]
What happened tom your pick (Pioneer of the Nile) in the Preakness?

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