SLEW'S FAST HORSES FOR WED. 05/15

Belmont - 2,3,5,6,7,8,9
Arlington - 3,8

A short stack if ever there was one, but we do have a Key Horse competing at Belmont Park.

Teaks North - Bel ( 8) GP 12/22/12 # 9

Teaks North (Michelle Nevin/J.V.) won the Sunshine Millions Stakes with today's rider, John Velasquez in the irons. He also had for his pleasure, a yielding turf that day and took the field wire to wire for a $19.80 payout. Subsequent to that, he was 2nd to Amira's Prince (IRE) (Velasquez/Mott) in the Mac Diarmida Stake at Gulfstream and a non-factor in the 1 1/2 mile Pan American.

It should be noted that since stepping on U.S. soil, Amira's Prince is 4 for 4 with a couple of Grade 2 stakes to his credit.

While the Belmont turf may be just shy of yielding, the NY area did take a substantial amount of rain during the last week so the track may yet be a bit on the giving side.

Also notable is the lack of front running speed in this field for the Good Reward, a 90K stake at 1 1/4 miles on the inner turf course.

After having the very capable Edgar prado topside for his last two starts, our hero gets reunited with J.V. and they look as if they can take this field, if the race stays on the grass and ol' Teak doesn't give up the lead. If Johnny can get him to relax he may have the lead into the short stretch which will be to his benefit.

Rain is in the forecast so we will have to watch the skies (or your favorite weather honey/hunk) and see what transpires. The problem will be this: it is Belmont.

And once again, if the common wisdom makes him the favorite, bags of unmarked bills will be deposited at every window whether at the track, yellow cab, or corner newsstand making him un-betable.

That being the case, I will most likely...if my favorite weather sweetheart cooperates...play him as a single in a pick 3 beginning with race 6. I should note that Margano, a sometimes Key Horse for Slew, has been left off of that list today but is running in race # 6 (an OCN2x) as a coupled entry via ownership (Lael Stables). Margano has been running well at this level and should be competitive today, although Star Channel (Pletcher/J.J.) is in for the tag and must be respected. The coupled entry features Rosario and Velasquez as riders and figures as the 3-1 ML favorite just a tick ahead of Pletcher's runner.

If the weather holds, all systems are go with those guys being a part of my action. If it rains...maybe I'll just go outside and wash the car.

Enjoy the Wednesday racing...good luck and good 'capping!