LISTEN: Horse Racing Experts Preview Belmont Stakes On WFAN
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Preakness winner Exaggerator is a "suspect favorite" in Saturday's Belmont Stakes, horse racing handicapper Brad Thomas says.
"He has a lot of mileage on his wheels," Thomas told WFAN's Mike Francesa on Friday. "It's super admirable how many times he's run, how many different distances he's run, how many different tracks he's run at, how much traveling he's done, but that catches up to you at some point."
BELMONT PREVIEW: Exaggerator Faces A Talented Field Of 12
Exaggerator, who finished second at the Kentucky Derby, opened as the Belmont favorite. By Friday, however, Stradivari, at 9-to-5, passed Exaggerator, who was at 5-to-1.
NBC Sports analyst and two-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Jerry Bailey agrees that Exaggerator is vulnerable.
"Two things we know he loves is pace and a wet track," Bailey told Francesa. "We may get a wet track tomorrow, which I think moves him up. But he will not get the same kind of pace that he's been getting. That's almost a given."
Thomas said the horse he's betting on to win is Suddenbreakingnews (6-to-1).
"If Suddenbreakingnews can get within striking distance at the quarter pole, his finishing kick will blend with his pedigree," Thomas said. "An inside draw here actually could help him because most of the other deep closers are way to the outside. He's as fast as they are, but he's going to be saving ground, and he has a great shot to be in front of four or five of them."
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Thomas said he also likes Cherry Wine (10-to-1) and Lani (30-to-1) to finish among the front of the pack.
Thomas gave his opinion on each of the 13 horses in the race. To hear the full interview, click on the audio player above.
To listen to the full interview with Bailey, click on the audio player below.
