Top pick: #6 (FABULOUS STRIKE) - Very contentious small field on view in this running of a traditional event on the Belmont under card. Wonderful veteran has been freshened-up since a very tough beat (finishing second by a neck) to "Kodiak Kowboy" in the Grade 1 "Carter" on "Wood" day at Aqueduct on April 4. That seven-furlong distance that day is not his best and he'll cut-back a furlong today to a trip where he's nine for 14. Working nothing but "bullets" at trainer (Todd Beattie's) home base of Penn National for the past two months and he'll be very tough for anyone to get by late.
2nd pick: #5 (Desert Key) - Lightly raced, fast, and very fresh, as he makes only his second start back off a seven-month layoff. Lost by a neck in his return race and that should set him up well for a top try today. Working fast for a very good barn (Jimmy Jerkens). Speed/stalker has finished second in all four of his stakes attempts. Look for a big race today.