Belmont at the Big A • Race 8 • Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (Grade 1) • 3YO+ • 3:20 EST Morning line favorite 2 War Like Goddess can certainly win this race, but if she goes off at anything close to 7-5, I’ll pass. There are too many others here that are on the same level. 1 Bye Bye Melvin is the lone early speed of this race, and he could just take this field gate to wire. He was a winner last time out doing just that. There are a pair of Chad Brown entries in here, and you know what I say about that… Take the one with higher odds. That would be 5 Rockemperor. I love that he picks up jockey Javier Castellano with Irad riding at Keeneland. Rockemperor could sit in the upper mid-pack and get first run at the leaders.
Picks: 1-5-3-2
Best of luck!