Horse Racing

6. Giant Ryan. . . Willie Martinez. . . 3-1

7. Caixa Eletronica. . . Javier Castellano. . . 4-1

8. Justin Phillip. . . John Velazquez. . . 10-1

This race is absolutely loaded with early speed, so the front-runners could really be gasping for air in the stretch. Caixa Eletronica has the perfect rallying style to benefit when the others are tiring. Justin Phillip is another off-the-pace type who just happens to love this racetrack, with three wins in four starts. Hamazing Destiny got Wayne Lukas off the 0-for-forever graded stakes on Preakness Day and has won more than $700,000 in his career.

* D.J.'s picks:

1. Caixa Eletronica

2. Justin Phillip

3. Hamazing Destiny

The Woody Stephens

Belmont Park, Race 9 - Post 4:43

$400,000 (G II), 3 y.o., 7 furlongs

1. Hierro. . . Julien Leparoux. . . 5-2

2. Hardened Wildcat. . . Javier Castellano. . . 12-1

3. Il Villano. . . Jose Flores. . . 12-1

4. Brian. . . Mario Gutierrez. . . 20-1

5. Bourbon Courage. . . Rosie Napravnik. . . 5-1

6. Trinniberg. . . Willie Martinez. . . 7-2

7. Power World. . . Edgar Prado. . . 8-1

8. Isn't He Clever. . . John Velazquez. . . 8-1

9. Currency Swap. . . Rajiv Maragh. . . 8-1

10. Laurie's Rocket. . . Corey Nakatani. . . 20-1

Bourbon Courage was absolutely brilliant in his first two starts, but then did not fire in the Derby Trial on opening night at Churchill Downs when they had all manner of weather, including hail. Got to give him another chance on a fast track. Trinniberg had no chance in the Kentucky Derby, but is now back at his preferred sprint distance. Hierro won the Derby Trial and looked very good doing it.

* D.J.'s picks:

1. Bourbon Courage

2. Trinniberg

3. Hierro

The Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap

Belmont Park, Race 10 - Post 5:37

$500,000 (G I), 3 y.o. & up, 1 1/4 miles (turf).

1. Omayad. . . Joel Rosario. . . 12-1

2. Boisterous. . . Alan Garcia. . . 7-2

3. Al Khali. . . Mike Smith. . . 10-1

4. Desert Blanc. . . Ramon Dominguez. . . 6-1

5. Papaw Bodie. . . Rosie Napravnik. . . 8-1

6. Brilliant Speed. . . John Velazquez. . . 3-1

7. Hudson Steele. . . Javier Castellano. . . 5-2

8. Top Surprize. . . Jose Espinoza. . . 30-1

Hudson Steele is stepping way up in class, but this is a weaker than normal Grade I race. In seven grass starts, he has five wins and two seconds. Brilliant Speed could never catch front-runner Little Mike on Derby Day at Churchill, but never stopped trying. Al Khali had a terrible start at Churchill and is clearly better than that. His top races give him a big shot at a decent price.

* D.J.'s picks:

1. Hudson Steele

2. Brilliant Speed

3. Al Khali

- Dick Jerardi