Lot\'s being talked about how SHAK may be lone speed in the Belmont. This may go contrary to most thoughts about pace, but I think being lone speed actually hurts this horse\'s chances. He seems to run better when he has another horse to look in the eye. He also seems to hang in the stretch and wait for the other horses if he is on the lead. So if the closers are coming fast behind him IMO they will likely have enough momentum to pass him before SHAK realizes they are coming and re-breaks. He\'s a gamer, but he only seems to do what he has to do.
So does this mean we are keying him for second or that there is a 500k puddle of spilt milk around the Preakness winner?
Too soon? :)
Dunno about the first point.
But with regards to your second point, I believe it is acutally a $500K puddle of spilled Jack Daniels.
Mj:
Agree. There have been tons of ripped tickets over the years on lone speed horses in the Belmont, most recently First Dude.
Just looked at an Equibase poll where over 40 percent of the responders think Shak will win the Belmont.
What level of confidence does one have of Jesus Castanon riding a 1 1/2 race at Belmont? I personally have none. Much better riders have screwed this thing up.
Good Luck,
Joe B.