Thursday, June 6, 2013

Steve Haskin, Steve Byk and Lenny Shulman breakdown the 2013 Belmont Stakes

Steve Haskin, Steve Byk and Lenny Shulman cover a lot of ground in this Bloodhorse video, but one of the more interesting topics is discussion about the filly, Unlimited Budget, owned by Mike Repole and trained by Todd Pletcher.

Haskin gives the filly a shot in the 2013 Belmont Stakes. Byk? Not so much.

Haskin said he does not see Unlimited Budget (8-1) as a "gimmick" in the race. Byk is another story.

"Nothing about her says, 'I have to have this horse involved (in the race),' " Byk said.

And both Byk and Haskin realize the filly, with jockey Rosie Napravnik aboard, will be over-bet. Or as Haskin says, "Totally over-bet. But she is a contender."

Byk said he just feels there are too many "crazy prices" involving the 14 horses in the race to consider the filly whose odds are already 8-1 and may drop because the popular Napravnik is riding.

And this is just in the first few minutes of the video. They also interview Golden Soul trainer Dallas Stewart. Love how Bloodhorse's Lenny Shulman asks Stewart: "Okay, honestly, were you shocked to finish second in the Derby?"

Haskin, Byk and Shulman wrap it up by making their Belmont picks. Not going to spoil it, but there is mention of Orb, Palace Malice and Incognito.

Here's the Belmont Stakes field:

1. Frac Daddy (30/1)

2. Freedom Child (8/1)

3. Overanalyze (12/1)

4. Giant Finish (30/1)

5. Orb (3/1)

6. Icognito (20/1)

7. Oxbow (5/1)

8. Midnight Taboo (30/1)

9. Revolutionary (9/2)

10. Will Take Charge (20/1)

11. Vyjack (20/1)

12. Palace Malice (15/1)

13. Unlimited Budget (8/1)

14. Golden Soul (10/1)