Belmont Stakes Top Play

Belmont Race 11

7 - Irish War Cry

Without a Triple Crown on the line today Irish War Cry returns to the top of our contenders to take the final leg. As stated before, the son of Curlin has a top pedigree for the route of ground and the perfect amount of speed to get a solid trip over the 1 1/2 mile distance. Irish War Cry took off the Preakness to return full strength for his New York try and has solid works since that loss. Love the fact that not a lot of speed is signed on today, which means expect Irish War Cry to get brave on the lead under now regular rider Rajiv Maragh. 

Preakness Best Bet

Pimlico Race 13

5 - Classic Empire

Classic Empire has talent and more importantly heart - something that cannot be measured. This 3-year-old was roughed up early in the Kentucky Derby, bounced back to 13th at the beginning of race, and still ran a very solid fourth place finish. With the field now cut in half for the Preakness look for Classic Empire to be closer to the pace today and be way more comfortable. The Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner has the class and talent to shine in this spot. Now the champion should get the much needed favorable trip and grab the second jewel of the Triple Crown. 

Kentucky Derby best bet

Churchill Downs Race 12

5 - Always Dreaming

The 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby brings to the table a full field of 20 very talented horses with one standing above the rest. Always Dreaming, our top play just last time out in the Florida Derby, is holding all the aces in Saturday's race. He is in the top of the field when it comes to speed figures, pedigree and tactical speed that should prove key to getting the best trip. As touched on before, Empire Maker in his bloodlines says the distance is no problem and solid works after his romp in Florida says the 3-year-old will be very tough to beat in the Kentucky Derby. Look for Always Dreaming to be on top of the pace early and get first run on the closers turning for home. As much as I do not like Trainer Todd Pletcher, especially in Kentucky, he looks to be in line to get his second Derby victory. 

Arkansas Derby live longshot

Oaklawn Park Race 11

11 - Conquest Mo Money

Love the heart shown by this underdog of a horse in the Sunland Derby on March 26. Conquest Mo Money finished second that afternoon after making a sweeping outside move under jockey Jorge Carreno, a move that may have been a touch early, but still fought on to complete the exacta against a wide open field. Today, he jumps up into the big boy ranks and should be even more of an underdog - which makes him that much more attractive. Conquest Mo Money loves the added distance with Uncle Mo in his pedigree and just needs to improve a notch to take all the marbles. Trainer Miguel Hernandez would not make the trip unless he believes in his horse and so do we to steal the Grade I Arkansas Derby at a longshot price. 

Wood Memorial Top Play

Aqueduct Race 8

8 - Irish War Cry

As the Road to the Kentucky Derby continues we turn to one of the top contenders today in Irish War Cry for that first Saturday in May. The son of Curlin not only has a top pedigree for the route of ground but has the perfect amount of speed to get the best trip in the Wood Memorial. Get rid of his last race, heavy favorite under rider Joel Rosario, and you have an unbeaten horse. He won from off the pace to begin his career to taking them wire-to-wire second time out - very rare to find such versatility at the age of three. Irish War Cry should not only make amends for his latest loss, but he should turn into one of the Kentucky Derby favorites after taking the Wood Memorial with a perfect up-front trip with jockey Rajiv Maragh. 

Florida Derby Best Bet

Gulfstream Park Race 14

4 - Always Dreaming

The Road to the Kentucky Derby continues with the Grade I Florida Derby. This is a talented field of 3-year-olds trying to get their chance to run for the roses and this race appears to be perfect timing for an Always Dreaming coming out party. The son of Bodemeister has the best pedigree in the field to get the 1 1/8 mile trip today with Empire Maker and In Excess in his bloodlines. Always Dreaming proved the distance is not a problem and neither is the competition with a smashing optional claiming victory last time out under John Velasquez. The jump up in class seems like not only a natural move but also trainer Todd Pletcher tipping his hand to his horse's potential. All eyes will be on Gunnevera which will open the door for the new face Always Dreaming to spring the small upset in the Florida Derby. 

Sunland Derby Best Bet

Sunland Park Race 9

12 - Conquest Mo Money

This 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo has been perfect so far in his young career, going 3-for-3 and winning by an average margin of 4+ lengths. Conquest Mo Money might get floated out wide for this event, breaking from the outside, but should have enough talent to overcome the poor post. This colt has some of the best pedigree in the field to get the long distance of 1 1/8 mile with Uncle Mo, Indian Charlie and Seeking the Gold in his bloodlines. This type of pedigree can go a long way in New Mexico and on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. His speed figures don't jump off the page, but love the grind-it-out style he has shown. Conquest Mo Money should be tough to handle in the Sunland Derby for the connections of regular rider Jorge Carreno and trainer Miguel Hernandez. Pedigree is big in these type of races and 'Mo Money has it along with the ability that makes him our best bet in Saturday's race. 

Rebel Best Bet

Oaklawn Park Race 10

6 - Malagacy

The Road to the Kentucky Derby continues with a full field of 11 runners heading to post in the Rebel Stakes. Today we are looking at Malagacy to continue his dominance and successfully make the jump to graded stakes company a winning one. The 3-year-old colt is not only 2-for-2 in his young career, but he won by a total 22 lengths. Malagacy has simply ran the previous fields off their feet and while this won't be as easy today in the Grade II Rebel, it will certainly prove enough to get his picture taken. Regular rider John Castellano remains for trainer Todd Pletcher and with so many runners in today's race a solid trip becomes key.  Castellano likes to stay close to the front with this colt, meaning he should get first run on all closers while keeping in the clear. Pletcher believes he has a runner with the class move to a Grade II and so do we as Malagacy is the best bet in the Rebel.

San Felipe Stakes Best Bet

Santa Anita Race 5

4 - Mastery

This three-year-old has done nothing wrong so far in his career. Going undefeated in all three starts and winning by more than 12 lengths total. Mastery got a chance to stretch his legs last time out in the Cash Call Futurity and turned that 1 1/16 mile race into a run for fun. This colt is built for the route game, something important in today's race and for the Kentucky Derby, proving that at Los Alamitos. The undefeated runner has the best pedigree in the field by Candy Ride (my favorite) in the bloodlines and top connections of trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith. Mastery is the best best in the San Felipe as he simply has too much class, pedigree and speed for this stakes field to handle.

Fountain of Youth Best Bet

Gulfstream Park Race 13

2 - Gunnevera

As the Road to the Kentucky Derby continues we take a look at Gunnevera. This 3-year-old colt has shown a solid closing kick that will play a major role in this race, with race favorite Irish War Cry signed on. Gunnevera's speed figures are ranked in the top of the field and his kick is unmatched after making a last to first run in the Delta Jackpot back in November. The son of Dialed In already holds a victory at this distance with jockey Javier Castellano and should be rounding into form after a nice second place finish last time out in the Holy Bull. Gunnevera is our best bet to have a solid trip, defeat the race favorite and win the 2017 Fountain of Youth Stakes.