The Flower Bowl (GI) – This is the key race in this Pick 4 sequence, and offers the best chance for a horse to score at a decent price. You will need a horse that offers some value, in order to make this Pick 4 attractive. The classy Pure Clan makes her first start, since a 3rd place finish to Dynaforce in the Beverly D (GI).  She is a proven commodity on a soft turf course. Dynaforce makes her first start since winning the Beverly D (GI). She is a classy girl who has also proven a soft turf is no issue. She won the Flower Bowl last year on a yielding turf course. Criticism will go to the lead, and try to take this group as far as she can. If she is left alone, she could be a huge danger. I think she prefers a firm course, but she is rested, and has class. Christophe Clement will run an entry of Caribbean Sunset and Beauty O’ Gwaun (Ire). Caribbean Sunset ran a strong second to Forever Together in the Diana at Saratoga, and must respected.  Beauty O’ Gwaun (Ire) makes her first start in the United States and will add blinkers and lasix. Moneycantbuymelove (Ire) will make her first start in the Unites States as well, for trainer Michael Bell. She will also get lasix for the first time. She ran third in the Nassau Stakes (GI) at Goodwood in Britain in her last race at Britain. I will use her.

The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic – This is the race where I will make a single. I am sure a lot of other people will make a single as well. Gio Ponti is on the top of his game right now, and has won four consecutive Grade I races. This will be his first try at a 1 ½ miles, but this one should be even better with the added distance. He will run either in the Breerders’ Cup Turf or in Classic. He looks good tomorrow. Presious Passion loves a firm course, probably will not get it, and with that will not use him. Grand Couturier (GB) is the only horse in the field that could offer Gio Ponti his biggest challenge. The defending Turf Classic champion has run well on yielding courses, but faces a daunting task in defeating Gio Ponti. Grand Couturier (GB) has class. That is always something to keep in mind. Grand Couturier (GB) is not scheduled to run in this years Breeders’ Cup Turf.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) – The biggest race of the day, offers to be one of the best as well. Summer Bird the Belmont Stake and Travers winner will be the expected post time favorite. He is a known commodity at the distance, and has been working very well. Macho Again will be making his first start since his gut busting second place finish to super filly Rachel Alexandra in the Woodward at Saratoga. Will he bounce back from that? He will be making his third start off the layoff, and has shown a wet track is no obstacle. He will make his usual late bid. Asiatic Boy (Arg) is a bit of an enigma. He will be making his 4th career start in the Gold Cup tomorrow, while adding blinkers for the first time. He had a nice 47 breeze on September 27. Since coming to the United States, he has not won a race yet, he has run well, but hung in the Stephen Foster (GI) and Suburban (GII). I still think he could be dangerous. He is still somewhat of a fresh horse, who is capable of running a race good enough to win here. There is no horse in this race that is working better than Dry Martini. He has put together a string of very sharp workouts since his last race, the Whitney (GI) at Saratoga on August 8, 2009. A two-time winner at Belmont is three races and a winner at the distance. This horse will offer the most value in this race, and certainly should not be totally overlooked.  And than there is Quality Road, my main man, and Kentucky Derby pick, that was not to be. He is back again to try a 1 ¼ quarters. Can he win this race? Absolutely. He will be making his second start at this demanding distance, and there are some that think he cannot get the distance. I say he can, but this race could very well tell us that. He has been flying a tad under the radar up until now. It’s been pretty quiet on the Quality Road front, but he could make a whole lot of noise tomorrow. Quality Road is still a huge and dangerous threat to give this bunch something to worry about. He will go right out, and brush off any early threat, such as Tizway.  An off track is a big concern however, he did not move over it as well at Saratoga, and it is supposed to be wet tomorrow. One key element is the fact that Saratoga mud is not the same as Belmont mud. As a son of Elusive Quality, Smarty Jones dad, he has a chance to do the next best thing in getting Birdstone back, by beating Summer Bird. It would be even more fitting if he got him at the wire, however I expect Quality Road to be in front, and Summer Bird to stalk. I still have the utmost faith in Quality Road. Let’s do it!