Marcus makes a good point about DOC.
Now do I think BIG BROWN will lose the Belmont?...no. My feeling is he will have a little more assistance than the likes of War Emblem, Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Smarty Jones, Charismatic, and Funny Cide.
If he is going to get beat by a Birdstone type effort, perhaps Tale of Ekati has the best chance. TOE had every reason to bounce off of the Wood effort which came after one lackluster prep at the Fair Grounds. Pattern suggests he could come back to his Wood # or slighly higher, which would put him there should BB regress even more.
Other things to consider; better tactical speed which will come in handy if the Race Shape comes up average for the distance and he broke his maiden by 8 over the track and added the Futurity to boot.
BTW: he will be ridden by the best middle move rider in the game who just happened to be aboard Birdstone 4 years ago and knows a thing or two about riding around Big Sandy.
Good Luck,
Joe B.
Joe,
Tale of Ekati has yet to work since the derby (DOC worked this morning). I also read somewhere Tagg nominated him to the Ohio Derby.
Might turn out to be a moot point if he works soon, but it makes you wonder. WHY no work as of yet & WHY the Ohio nomination?
Tagg worked Big Truck this morning too - which makes the non-appearance of TOE a bit more worrisome.
Bloodhorse article sounds like the Belmont (with Coa, not Prado, aboard) is the plan.
http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/article/45327.htm