Top pick: #8 (LA VERDAD) (8-5) - Speedy filly is one of two entered by trainer Linda Rice and the pair race uncoupled. She's been facing some tough "open" company most of the year and has held her own while becoming a G2 winner this past April at Aqueduct. Daughter of "Yes It's True" has won all five races when acing New York breds dating back to May of 2013, and has a tactical advantage in a rather pace-less field on paper. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #4 (Willet) (9-5) - The main danger, strong finisher has an outstanding overall record 19-8-6-3 and has gone 8-3-2-2 here at Belmont. Mare rallied to finish second in this stakes last year and has finished within short range of "La Verdad" the two times they've met in 2014.
3rd pick: #9 (Champagne Ruby) (20-1) - The second of the Rice pair, she's well below the top two picks with her best, but one-run type draws a nice outside post at this trip. She won a small stakes at Finger Lakes Aug. 9 and may grab a minor award at a big price.
4th pick: #1 (Capella Dancer) (15-1) - No-speed type makes her Belmont debut after rallying into a fast pace to win a stakes at Finger lakes Oct. 4. Grey mare has a fine record on real dirt 26-11-9-2 and should be finishing fast.