For the second year in a row Belmont day will be marred by rain and a sloppy track. As handicappers, we will also have to contend with a somewhat softer turf course for the two graded races on the lawn. Nevertheless, Belmont has provided five graded stakes in addition to the Grade 1 Belmont, and there will be opportunities galore with the off going.

Race 6: The Vagrancy Handicap
Grade 2, F&M, 6½ Furlongs
Smok'n Frolic, although competing at longer distances recently, got her best Beyer speed figure (104) at 6 furlongs in the slop. Will be flying late. Bear Fan, the obvious favorite, has never tried a wet track, and may bounce off of her recent 107 Beyer. Beauty Halo has won both tries on a sloppy track (the first at 10-1), and although moving up in class, benefits from the services of Jerry Bailey. Molto Vita moves way up on a wet track and could complete a trifecta at a big price.

Race 7: True North Breeders Cup Handicap
Grade 2, 6 Furlongs
Pohave finished a good third to Met Mile winner Pico Centro despite being five wide and losing his whip two races back, took two months off and returned May 8th with a game victory in the L.A. Times Handicap. He also has run a 111 and 112 Beyer and has a good Tomlinson mud rating.

Speightstown will have plenty of company on the front end this time and shortens from his favorite 7 furlong distance to 6 furlongs today. But he's as tough as they come and will be a deserved favorite here. Gracious Humor is improved, has Prado and has won in the slop. Buzzy's Gold loves a wet track and beat Valid Video on one last year.

Race 8: Just A Game Breeders Cup Handicap
Grade 2, F&M, 1 Mile, Turf
Intercontinental, part of powerful Bobby Frankel entry, is the class and appears to like a softer course. Strictly the one to beat. Dedication is wheeling right back after winning five days ago for Clement. Should love the off going. Caught in the Rain and Wonder Again can complete an exotic at a nice price. Both like soft going and Wonder Again has won three of five starts on this course.

Race 9: Riva Ridge Breeders Cup Handicap
Grade 2, 7 Furlongs
Fire Slam loves the off going and can upset here at a big price. He's won this distance on a sloppy track and has the best Tomlinson mud rating in the field.

Forest Danger, lightly raced, already has two triple digit Beyer speed figures in four lifetime starts, running a 110 in the Bay Shore at today's distance. He'll take a lot of money but he's never seen a wet track, and you never know. Teton Forest has danced with some of the best three year olds in the country, running close behind Rock Hard Ten and Imperialism. Gets Bailey. Abbondanza showed a nice versatility with a strong close in his last race, and has won in the off going. He'll have plenty of speed to run at today.

Race 10: The Manhattan Handicap
1 ¼ Miles, Turf
Kicken Kris, by Kris S, should love the 10 furlong distance and soft going. Epicentre, also by Kris S, will appreciate the distance and give in the course. Stroll, has won six of his last seven (five with Bailey) and will take a lot of money here, though he has never attempted to run this far. Mr. O'Brien came back from a long rest with two very impressive turf wins. Can threaten here if he improves again.

Race 11: The Belmont Stakes
Grade 1, for 3-year-olds, 1 ½ miles
Purge has improved steadily and then exploded in the Peter Pan. Looks to improve again and could turn the tables on Smarty with new stalking tactics. Smarty Jones is strictly the one to beat, but at 2-5 odds vs. Purge's probable 8-1, the choice is an easy one.

Eddington is working like a champ, has a decent Tomlinson mud figure, and should like the added distance. With Bailey aboard could complete the exacta with either of the above.

Rock Hard Ten has also been working fast but it seems his connections are pushing hard on this lightly raced colt to make this race. He was humiliated by Smarty in the Preakness, which may be a tough psychological barrier to overcome. Caiman, has improved. A grandson of A.P. Indy he should like the sloppy track and will be 50-1. Could complete a juicy tri or superfecta.