Will It Be Lady's Day in Final Leg at Triple Crown?

It’s been over 100 years since a filly has won the Belmont, but bettors won’t care when it comes to trainer Todd Pletcher’s super filly Rags to Riches. When Derby winner Street Sense opted out of the Belmont, Pletcher jumped in with his lady in waiting. She has swamped all the female competition she’s faced and will take on the boys as a more than worthy adversary.If Rags to Riches wins the Belmont she will do what two fillies who won the Derby - Genuine Risk and Winning Colors - couldn’t accomplish. To win, she’ll have to finish stronger than Preakness-winner Curlin and catch Derby pacesetter Hard Spun.The Belmont, more than any other Triple Crown race, is usually won by a horse that is either on the lead after a mile or with a few lengths of it. That description fits Hard Spun, who led most of the way in the Derby (finished second) then stalked the pace in the Preakness (and was third).

Here’s how we see the race unfolding:

First: Hard Spun - Can control the pace and handle the distance.
Second: Slew’s Tizzy - Coming on at the right time. A threat to win it all.
Third: Curlin - Still should be able to get within striking distance.
Fourth: C P West - Preakness was better than it looks; can take another step up.

$1 Trifecta partial: Key Hard Spun for first, with Slew’s Tizzy, Curlin, CP West, Rags to Riches and Tiago used in both the second and third spots. (Cost: $20)

$1 Trifecta partial: Key Slew’s Tizzy for first with Hard Spun, Curlin, CP West, Rags to Riches and Tiago used in the second and third spots. (Cost: $20)

Total Cost: $36.