Played Commandment in the Derby and am leaning to do so again in the Belmont stakes

Commandment's Kentucky Derby bid was compromised by a sluggish start, a wide overland trip, and late race traffic.

Racing mid-pack, he was forced to go five-wide on the far turn and was severely bounced around in tight quarters during the stretch drive, ultimately finishing seventh.

The key factors that derailed his race included a Slow Break: Commandment broke slowly and was left sitting 13th through the half-mile mark, forcing him to play catch-up.

The "Overland" Route: Under jockey Luis Saez,in which he made a strong move but was forced to race at least five paths wide on the far turn, covering much more ground than the inside horses.

Stretch Traffic: After kicking for home with a legitimate chance, he got bounced around in traffic while racing between rivals in the stretch, causing him to lose momentum and failed to threaten the leaders.Despite the trouble, the Brad Cox-trained colt came out of the race in good form and I'm expecting an entirely different outcome with this longer stretch and fewer horses.

I seen the race with the cluster of horses down the stretch and seen that No doubt Commandment was getting bounced around like a ping pong ball.

Many of other in the race that are top tier horses got bounced around as well.

Don't know if this strong closer has got what it takes to overcome this field but I sure would hate to go a different way and have Commandment run a race style that prevails and wins the Belmont at a good price based on his seventh place finish in the Derby.

Thoughts?

Agree with much of what you said. He definitely got interfered with, especially into the final turn. One thing to keep in mind, when the triple crown isn’t in play. Double digit horses, percentage wise prevail. 
You’ll be getting decent odds on the Derby champ. 
I’m sort of interested in the Pletcher trained Peter Pan winner to round out the tri. Gl pal.

@vetdrm

Good luck to you as well on Growth equity as you indeed will have some fresh legs and though he is coming out of a G3 class of horses and now enters a G1 dominate field it will be interesting to see how he performs. 

Growth equity won clean by two lengths in the peter pan and will most definitely be challenged in the belmont.

Then again with a grueling mile and a half race anything can happen and I'm expecting a speed duel up front  with the Kentucky derby winner and honcho up top and hoping Commandment barrels out with a late burst of stalking speed on the end to overtake those two with NO interference and win in an impressive closing fashion....but again, easier said than done.

I will be involved with some gimmicks in the Belmont and will be sure to take some consideration with a good hard look at chief wallabe and growth equity as well as a few others as I await the draw come the first of June. 

Good Morning @justliketoplay

Looking forward to the Belmont and thanks for the early thoughts.  Just a quick reminder, they will still be running it in Saratoga this year and the race will be run at a mile and a quarter.  Best of luck with the analysis and the race.  Hope we all cash!

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend