Cruising speed helps give Hard Spun edge in Belmont

The folks at Belmont Park should thank trainer Todd Pletcher for changing the focus on the Belmont Stakes from a colt that isn’t running, Street Sense, to a filly that is, Rags to Riches. Her entry in the Belmont field adds sex appeal in place of the missing-in-action Kentucky Derby winner.

Rags to Riches comes into the Belmont off three Grade 1 stakes wins, and she figures to be a fan favorite. Horse racing is one of the few sports that allows both genders to compete as equals. Her lone concession will be carrying five less pounds, 121, than her male opponents who will carry 126.

Lost in the hubbub over Rags to Riches’ entry are Curlin, the Preakness winner, and Hard Spun, second in the Derby. Curlin is the 6-5 morning line favorite. However, I suspect he’ll go off a shorter price.

Hard Spun was made the 5-2 second choice, and Rags to Riches is at 3-1. I think Rags to Riches will be bet inside of Hard Spun at post time.

My handicap of the Belmont begins with the belief that these three horses are at least five lengths better than the rest. And as long as their riders don’t panic and move too soon, they should stay the marathon distance.

Curlin might be the most vulnerable of the big three. His Preakness win in overtaking Street Sense was an amazing, yet exhausting, effort. And this will be his fourth major race in eight weeks, as tough a schedule as a modern racehorse faces.

To nitpick at Rags to Riches is like pointing out a small mole on Scarlett Johansson’s face. However, I’ll need to be shown the horse’s powerful rallies in shorter races will translate in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont.

That leaves my pick to win the race, Hard Spun. He has the fastest cruising speed of the three and a distance pedigree to die for. New jockey Garrett Gomez should sit like a statue until the quarter pole and then let this colt give his best late.

My picks for the Belmont are, in order: Hard Spun, Rags to Riches, Curlin and Tiago.

Richard Eng’s horse racing column is published Friday. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com.