Top pick: #6 (CUPPA JOE) (5-2) - Gulfstream shipper finished a pace-chasing fourth of eight, beaten 3 1/2 lengths racing there facing special weight foes April 4th. It was his first race since Jan. 30 and trainer Brian Lynch then sent him to Keeneland. Four-year-old by 'Medaglia d'Oro' worked twice there before heading to Belmont. Barn drops him into a claimer for the first time and has John Velazquez aboard.
2nd pick: #11 (Balfe's Corner) (15-1) - Longshot raced evenly while encountering some traffic issues last out at Aqueduct. He's dropping into a claimer and can be competitive today at a very big price.
3rd pick: #5 (Ferocious Tiger) (5-1) - Unlike most horses trained by Wesley Ward, this runner lacks early speed. He rallied to finish second when racing for a $35K tag at Gulfstream Jan. 19. Sent to the sidelines until March 7th, he ran evenly facing Special Weights that afternoon. Training steadily at Keeneland before shipping here, Ward drops him back down. The faster the pace, the better his chances.
4th pick: #8 (Apple Orchard) (12-1) - Stretch runner moves up in class for his first off a Bob Barbara claim and almost a three-month layoff. Training steadily for this attempt, he'll need some pace help for anything more than a minor award.
5th pick: #9 (Thunder's Fury) (12-1) - Lightly-raced home bred drops off a wide and even effort facing tougher at Aqueduct April 18th. Race was his first in five months and trainer Tom Morley will drop him into a claimer for the first time.