Saturday 6/11/22 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

BETTING ODDS TRENDS

San Diego Padres
San Diego is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
San Diego is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games
San Diego is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
San Diego is 4-14 ATS in its last 18 games at home
San Diego is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
San Diego is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Colorado
San Diego is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Colorado
San Diego is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado

Colorado Rockies
Colorado is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Colorado is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Colorado is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Colorado is 5-16 SU in its last 21 games on the road
Colorado is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing San Diego
Colorado is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing San Diego
Colorado is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against San Diego
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing on the road against San Diego

[Can'tPickAWinner]

BETTING ODDS TRENDS

San Francisco Giants
San Francisco is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
San Francisco is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games at home
San Francisco is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
San Francisco is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
San Francisco is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
San Francisco is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers
LA Dodgers is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
LA Dodgers is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
LA Dodgers is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 7 games on the road
LA Dodgers is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Francisco
LA Dodgers is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Francisco
LA Dodgers is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games when playing on the road against San Francisco

[Can'tPickAWinner]

BETTING ODDS TRENDS

New York Yankees
NY Yankees is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
NY Yankees is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games at home
NY Yankees is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of NY Yankees's last 13 games when playing Chi Cubs
NY Yankees is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs

Chicago Cubs
Chi Cubs is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Chi Cubs is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Chi Cubs is 13-2 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
Chi Cubs is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Chi Cubs is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing NY Yankees
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Chi Cubs's last 13 games when playing NY Yankees
Chi Cubs is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees

[Can'tPickAWinner]

BETTING ODDS TRENDS

Los Angeles Angels
LA Angels is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games
LA Angels is 1-15 SU in its last 16 games
LA Angels is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games at home
LA Angels is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 8 of LA Angels's last 9 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Mets

New York Mets
NY Mets is 13-5 ATS in its last 18 games
NY Mets is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 12 of NY Mets's last 17 games
NY Mets is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
NY Mets is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games on the road
NY Mets is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 8 of NY Mets's last 9 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Angels

[Can'tPickAWinner]

BETTING ODDS TRENDS

Seattle Mariners
Seattle is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Seattle is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games at home
Seattle is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Boston
Seattle is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Seattle's last 19 games when playing Boston
Seattle is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Seattle's last 9 games when playing at home against Boston

Boston Red Sox
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Boston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Boston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games on the road
Boston is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Seattle
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Boston's last 19 games when playing Seattle
Boston is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston's last 9 games when playing on the road against Seattle

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB INJURIES
Last Updated: June 11, 2022 6:09 55 AM

ARI
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/02/22 P Humberto Castellanos Elbow 15-day IL (06/01)
05/18/22 P Keynan Middleton Elbow 15-day IL (05/17)
05/16/22 SS Nick Ahmed Shoulder 60-day IL (05/16)
05/08/22 C Carson Kelly Oblique 10-day IL (05/08)
04/10/22 P Luke Weaver Elbow 10-day IL (04/10)

ATL
Date Pos Player Injury Status
05/28/22 P Mike Soroka Achilles is out indefinitely
05/16/22 P Tyler Matzek Shoulder 15-day IL (05/14)
05/11/22 C Manny Pina Wrist 60-day IL (04/28); is out for season
04/25/22 RF Eddie Rosario Eye 10-day IL (04/25)
04/06/22 P Luke Jackson Arm 60-day IL (04/03)

BAL
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/04/22 SS Chris Owings Bereavement List is out indefinitely
05/26/22 P Alexander Wells Elbow 60-day IL (04/29)
05/21/22 P Travis Lakins Elbow 15-day IL (05/12)
05/17/22 P Matt Harvey Suspension 60-game suspension (04/29)
05/04/22 P Chris Ellis Shoulder 60-day IL (04/25); is out for season
04/23/22 P John Means Elbow 60-day IL (04/13); is out for season

BOS
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/09/22 CF Enrique Hernandez Hip 10-day IL (06/08)
06/01/22 P Matt Barnes Shoulder 15-day IL (05/31)
06/01/22 P Hansel Robles Back 15-day IL (05/25)
04/20/22 SS Jonathan Arauz Quarantine IL (05/06)
04/07/22 P Josh Taylor Back 60-day IL (04/04)
04/04/22 P Chris Sale Ribs 60-day IL (04/04)

CIN
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/10/22 CF Albert Almora Jr. Shoulder is "?" Saturday vs St. Louis Cardinals
06/10/22 CF Nick Senzel Back is "?" Saturday vs St. Louis Cardinals
06/09/22 C Tyler Stephenson Thumb 10-day IL (06/09)
06/06/22 3B Mike Moustakas Undisclosed 10-day IL (06/06)
06/05/22 P Vladimir Gutierrez Forearm 15-day IL (06/05)
06/01/22 RF Tyler Naquin Quad 10-day IL (06/01)
05/25/22 P Connor Overton Back 60-day IL (05/19)
05/23/22 2B Donovan Solano Hamstring 60-day IL (05/23)
05/12/22 P Lucas Sims Back 15-day IL (05/11)
05/07/22 P Nick Lodolo Biceps is out indefinitely
05/04/22 2B Jonathan India Hamstring 10-day IL (04/30)
05/01/22 DH Jake Fraley Knee 10-day IL (05/01)
04/17/22 - Daniel Duarte Elbow 60-day IL (04/17)

CLE
Date Pos Player Injury Status
05/26/22 DH Franmil Reyes Undisclosed 10-day IL (05/26)
05/26/22 P Aaron Civale Side 15-day IL (05/26)

COL
Date Pos Player Injury Status
05/25/22 LF Kris Bryant Back 10-day IL (05/23)
04/06/22 P Ryan Rolison Shoulder 60-day IL (04/04)
04/06/22 P Peter Lambert Forearm 10-day IL (04/04)

CUB
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/10/22 P Marcus Stroman Shoulder 15-day IL (06/07)
06/02/22 - Manuel Rodriguez Elbow 60-day IL (06/01)
06/01/22 Drew Smyly Oblique 15-day IL (05/31)
05/30/22 RF Seiya Suzuki Finger 10-day IL (05/27)
05/12/22 P Sean Newcomb Ankle 15-day IL (05/08)
05/10/22 CF Michael Hermosillo Quad 10-day IL (05/08)
05/04/22 P Ethan Roberts Shoulder 60-day IL (04/30)
03/14/22 P Adbert Alzolay Shoulder is out indefinitely

CWS
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/03/22 P Vince Velasquez Groin 15-day IL (05/31)
05/31/22 SS Tim Anderson Groin 10-day IL (05/31)
05/26/22 - Joe Kelly Hamstring 15-day IL (05/26)
05/09/22 - Aaron Bummer Knee 15-day IL (05/07)
04/24/22 LF Eloy Jimenez Hamstring 10-day IL (04/24)
04/07/22 P Lance Lynn Knee 60-day IL (04/07)
04/07/22 P Garrett Crochet Elbow 60-day IL (04/04)
04/07/22 P Ryan Burr Shoulder 10-day IL (04/04)
04/07/22 DH Yermin Mercedes Undisclosed 10-day IL (04/04)

DET
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/10/22 CF Daz Cameron COVID-19 IL (06/10)
06/07/22 3B Jeimer Candelario Shoulder 10-day IL (06/06)
05/22/22 P Eduardo Rodriguez Ribs 15-day IL (05/18)
05/18/22 LF Victor Reyes Quad 10-day IL (05/16)
05/14/22 P Michael Pineda Finger 10-day IL (05/14)
05/04/22 P Tyler Alexander Elbow 10-day IL (04/30)
04/24/22 P Kyle Funkhouser Shoulder 60-day IL (04/06)
04/20/22 P Matt Manning Shoulder 10-day IL (04/17)
04/15/22 P Casey Mize Elbow 60-day IL (04/15)
04/06/22 C Jake Rogers Elbow 60-day IL (04/06)
04/06/22 P Jose Cisnero Shoulder 60-day IL (04/06)
04/06/22 P Spencer Turnbull Elbow 60-day IL (04/06)
04/02/22 RF Riley Greene Foot is out indefinitely

HOU
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/08/22 P Hector Neris Elbow 15-day IL (06/07)
06/04/22 P Blake Taylor Elbow 10-day IL (06/04)
05/17/22 P Jake Odorizzi Leg 10-day IL (05/16)
04/07/22 CF Jake Meyers Shoulder 10-day IL (04/04)
04/07/22 P Lance McCullers Jr Forearm 60-day IL (04/04)
04/07/22 1B Taylor Jones Back 10-day IL (04/20)

KAN
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/01/22 P Gabe Speier Undisclosed 10-day IL (05/30)
06/01/22 P Brad Peacock Undisclosed 10-day IL (05/30)
05/30/22 P Zack Greinke Hip 15-day IL (05/30)
05/26/22 - Amir Garrett Undisclosed 10-day IL (05/26)
05/10/22 CF Edward Olivares Quad 10-day IL (05/10)
05/04/22 C Cam Gallagher Hamstring 10-day IL (05/03)
05/01/22 SS Adalberto Mondesi ACL 60-day IL (05/01)

LAA
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/10/22 CF Mike Trout Groin is "?" Saturday vs New York Mets
06/05/22 RF Taylor Ward Hamstring 10-day IL (06/04)
05/21/22 P Griffin Canning Back is out indefinitely
05/18/22 SS David Fletcher Groin 60-day IL (05/10)
05/03/22 P Austin Warren Nose 10-day IL (05/03)
05/01/22 - Archie Bradley Abdominal 10-day IL (05/01)

LAD
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/03/22 3B Edwin Rios Hamstring 10-day IL (06/03)
06/02/22 CF Kevin Pillar Shoulder 60-day IL (06/02)
05/18/22 P Tommy Kahnle Forearm 60-day IL (05/18)
05/18/22 P Blake Treinen Shoulder 60-day IL (04/22)
05/15/22 P Victor Gonzalez Undisclosed 60-day IL (05/15)
05/13/22 P Clayton Kershaw Pelvis 15-day IL (05/09)
04/20/22 P Andrew Heaney Shoulder 10-day IL (04/20)
04/15/22 P Trevor Bauer Suspension is out indefinitely

MIA
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/01/22 3B Brian Anderson Back 10-day IL (05/28)
06/01/22 3B Joey Wendle Hamstring 10-day IL (05/31)
05/29/22 P Cody Poteet Elbow 15-day IL (05/29)
05/27/22 P Sixto Sanchez Shoulder 10-day IL (04/01)
05/26/22 P Anthony Bender Back 15-day IL (05/26)
05/18/22 P Jesus Luzardo Forearm 15-day IL (05/12)
04/21/22 P Paul Campbell Elbow 60-day IL (04/18)
04/08/22 SS Jose Devers Shoulder 10-day IL (04/08)
04/06/22 P Sean Guenther Arm 60-day IL (04/04)

MIL
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/10/22 2B Kolten Wong Calf is "?" Saturday vs Washington Nationals
06/08/22 P Trevor Gott Groin 15-day IL (06/06)
06/03/22 3B Michael Brosseau Ankle 10-day IL (06/03)
06/01/22 P Angel Perdomo Elbow 15-day IL (05/28)
06/01/22 P Justin Topa Undisclosed 60-day IL (06/01)
05/30/22 P Brandon Woodruff Ankle 15-day IL (05/28)
05/22/22 P Freddy Peralta Side 15-day IL (05/22)
05/17/22 - Jean Carlos Mejia Suspension 80-game suspension
05/16/22 - Jandel Gustave Hamstring 15-day IL (05/15)
05/01/22 P Jake Cousins Elbow 60-day IL (05/01)
04/15/22 C Pedro Severino Suspension 80-game suspension

MIN
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/10/22 SS Royce Lewis ACL 10-day IL (05/29); is out for season
06/07/22 CF Kyle Garlick Hamstring 10-day IL (06/04)
06/06/22 P Bailey Ober Groin 15-day IL (06/02)
06/02/22 P Sonny Gray Pectoral 15-day IL (05/30)
06/01/22 P Danny Coulombe Hip 15-day IL (05/28)
05/25/22 P Joe Ryan COVID-19 IL (05/25)
05/21/22 P Josh Winder Shoulder 10-day IL (05/21)
05/12/22 P Chris Paddack Elbow 60-day IL (05/09)
05/12/22 - Jhon Romero Biceps 60-day IL (05/11)
05/02/22 1B Miguel Sano Knee 60-day IL (05/01)
04/12/22 P Jorge Alcala Elbow 10-day IL (04/11)

NYM
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/10/22 RF Starling Marte Quad is "?" Saturday vs Los Angeles Angels
06/01/22 RF Travis Jankowski Finger 10-day IL (05/26)
05/21/22 P Max Scherzer Oblique 15-day IL (05/19)
05/15/22 P Trevor May Triceps 60-day IL (05/04)
05/13/22 C James McCann Wrist 10-day IL (05/13)
05/10/22 P Jacob deGrom Shoulder 60-day IL (04/01)
05/01/22 P Sean Reid-Foley Elbow 60-day IL (05/01)
04/07/22 P Jake Reed Oblique 10-day IL (04/07)
04/04/22 P Joey Lucchesi Elbow 60-day IL (04/04)

NYY
Date Pos Player Injury Status
05/25/22 P Jonathan Loaisiga Shoulder 15-day IL (05/23)
05/24/22 P Aroldis Chapman Achilles 15-day IL (05/24)
05/21/22 P Chad Green Elbow 60-day IL (05/21)
05/20/22 P Luis Gil Elbow is out indefinitely
04/04/22 P Domingo German Shoulder 60-day IL (04/04)

OAK
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/10/22 LF Chad Pinder Neck is "?" Saturday vs Cleveland Guardians
06/01/22 CF Skye Bolt Hamstring 60-day IL (05/29)
05/20/22 P Daulton Jefferies Arm 60-day IL (05/19)
05/07/22 RF Stephen Piscotty Calf 10-day IL (05/07)
04/08/22 P Brent Honeywell Jr. Elbow 60-day IL (04/08)
04/08/22 P Deolis Guerra Forearm 60-day IL (04/08)

PHI
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/07/22 3B Johan Camargo Knee 10-day IL (06/06)
06/07/22 P Zack Wheeler Paternity List is out indefinitely
06/05/22 SS Nick Maton Shoulder 10-day IL (06/04)
05/31/22 2B Jean Segura Finger 10-day IL (06/01)
04/15/22 P Corey Knebel Undisclosed 10-day IL (04/12)
04/15/22 P Sam Coonrod Shoulder 60-day IL (04/15)

PIT
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/07/22 P Dillon Peters Back 15-day IL (06/07)
06/04/22 2B Josh VanMeter Hand 10-day IL (06/04)
05/29/22 LF Ben Gamel Hamstring 10-day IL (05/29)
05/27/22 DH Yoshitomo Tsutsugo Undisclosed 10-day IL (05/27)
05/25/22 P Heath Hembree Calf 15-day IL (05/21)
05/18/22 C Roberto Perez Hamstring 60-day IL (05/07); is out for season
05/10/22 CF Jake Marisnick Thumb 10-day IL (05/10)
04/27/22 SS Kevin Newman Groin 10-day IL (04/27)
04/27/22 P Anthony Banda Illness 10-day IL (04/27)
04/11/22 P Duane Underwood Hamstring 10-day IL (04/08)
04/07/22 CF Greg Allen Undisclosed 60-day IL (04/07)

SDG
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/07/22 - Robert Suarez Knee 15-day IL (06/07)
06/03/22 Wil Myers Knee 10-day IL (06/03)
05/09/22 1B Matt Beaty Shoulder 15-day IL (05/08)
04/22/22 P Pierce Johnson Tendonitis 10-day IL (04/22)
04/13/22 P Austin Adams Forearm 60-day IL (04/13)
03/14/22 RF Fernando Tatis Jr. Wrist is out indefinitely

SEA
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/01/22 Kyle Lewis Concussion 7-day IL (05/29)
05/18/22 P Erik Swanson Elbow 15-day IL (05/14)
05/07/22 C Tom Murphy Shoulder 10-day IL (05/07)
05/06/22 P Matt Festa Elbow 15-day IL (05/06)
05/02/22 LF Mitch Haniger Ankle 10-day IL (04/30)
04/29/22 1B Evan White Groin 60-day IL (04/29)
04/14/22 P Casey Sadler Shoulder 60-day IL (04/14)

SFO
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/10/22 2B Tommy La Stella Rest is not in the starting lineup Friday vs Los Angeles Dodgers
06/07/22 P Alex Cobb Neck 15-day IL (06/04)
05/24/22 1B Brandon Belt Knee 10-day IL (05/22)
05/20/22 RF LaMonte Wade Jr. Knee 10-day IL (05/20)
04/22/22 CF Steven Duggar Oblique 60-day IL (04/21)
04/22/22 P Anthony DeSclafani Ankle 60-day IL (04/22)

STL
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/05/22 LF Corey Dickerson Calf 10-day IL (06/05)
05/26/22 P Jordan Hicks Forearm 15-day IL (05/26)
05/23/22 P Alex Reyes Shoulder is out indefinitely
05/23/22 P Steven Matz Shoulder 15-day IL (05/23)
04/23/22 P Drew VerHagen Hip 10-day IL (04/22)
04/04/22 P Jack Flaherty Shoulder 60-day IL (04/04)

TAM
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/10/22 C Mike Zunino Shoulder 10-day IL (06/10)
06/09/22 P Shane Baz Elbow 60-day IL (04/16); expected to start Saturday vs Minnesota Twins
06/09/22 P Andrew Kittredge Elbow 15-day IL (06/09)
06/04/22 P J.P. Feyereisen Shoulder 15-day IL (06/04)
05/31/22 SS Wander Franco Quad 10-day IL (05/31)
05/18/22 2B Brandon Lowe Back 10-day IL (05/16)
05/04/22 P Phoenix Sanders Back 10-day IL (05/03)
04/22/22 P Chris Mazza Back 60-day IL (04/22)
04/13/22 - JT Chargois Oblique 10-day IL (04/09)
04/13/22 P Luis Patino Oblique 60-day IL (04/13)
04/08/22 P Nick Anderson Elbow 60-day IL (04/08)
04/04/22 P Tyler Glasnow Elbow 60-day IL (04/04)

TEX
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/10/22 P Glenn Otto COVID-19 IL (06/10)
06/10/22 C Mitch Garver COVID-19 IL (06/10)
06/08/22 P Brett Martin Undisclosed 10-day IL (06/07)
06/04/22 2B Josh Smith Shoulder 10-day IL (06/04)
05/04/22 P Albert Abreu Ankle 10-day IL (05/03)

TOR
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/07/22 C Danny Jansen Finger 10-day IL (06/07)
06/06/22 P Nate Pearson Mononucleosis 60-day IL (04/07)
06/02/22 P Hyun-Jin Ryu Forearm 15-day IL (06/02)
05/18/22 P Tim Mayza Forearm 10-day IL (05/15)
04/28/22 P Ryan Borucki Finger 10-day IL (04/27)

WAS
Date Pos Player Injury Status
06/08/22 P Victor Arano Knee 15-day IL (06/06)
06/04/22 P Josh Rogers Shoulder 15-day IL (06/04)
06/03/22 Dee Strange-Gordon Paternity List is out indefinitely
06/01/22 SS Alcides Escobar Hamstring 10-day IL (06/01)
05/11/22 P Mason Thompson Biceps 60-day IL (05/11)
05/04/22 P Anibal Sanchez Neck 60-day IL (04/08)
05/04/22 P Sean Doolittle Elbow 60-day IL (04/20)
04/21/22 - Hunter Harvey Shoulder 10-day IL (04/21)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

TEXAS are 16-35 SU (-22.5 Units) in road games after having lost 5 or 6 of their last 7 games in the last 3 seasons.

MINNESOTA is 119-164 SU (-61.4 Units) in all games in the last 3 seasons.

ST LOUIS are 356-358 SU (-37.8 Units) in home games in day games since 1996.

WASHINGTON is 125-156 SU (-46.6 Units) in all games in the last 3 seasons.

ARIZONA is 5-19 SU (-17.2 Units) in road games vs. an NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.20 or better over the last 2 seasons.

PITTSBURGH is 30-14 Over (14.6 Units) when playing on Saturday in the last 3 seasons.

SAN DIEGO is 146-234 SU (-111.4 Units) in home games as a favorite of -150 or more since 1996.

DETROIT is 19-7 SU (11.3 Units) in home games as an underdog of +150 or more over the last 2 seasons.

CLEVELAND is 71-64 SU (0.6 Units) as a favorite of -110 or higher in the last 3 seasons.

BALTIMORE is 16-6 SU (9.4 Units) after having lost 4 or 5 of their last 6 games in the current season.

HOUSTON is 18-34 SU (-19.4 Units) when playing on Saturday in the last 3 seasons.

SAN FRANCISCO is 154-129 SU (12.1 Units) in all games in the last 3 seasons.

NY YANKEES are 17-8 SU (11.1 Units) vs. good fielding teams - averaging <=0.6 errors/game in the current season.

LA ANGELS are 25-18 SU (8.6 Units) vs. a team with a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better in the current season.

SAN DIEGO is 146-234 SU (-111.4 Units) in home games as a favorite of -150 or more since 1996.

SEATTLE is 100-74 Over (18.6 Units) in night games in the last 3 seasons.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB
Saturday, June 11
Trend Report

Texas @ Chi White Sox
Texas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 7 games on the road
Texas is 15-8 ATS in its last 23 games on the road
Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Texas
Chi White Sox is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Texas

Tampa Bay @ Minnesota
Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 10 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 7 games at home

Cincinnati @ St. Louis
Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 5 games on the road
St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
St. Louis is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home

Milwaukee @ Washington
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games
Washington
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games at home

Arizona @ Philadelphia
Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Arizona's last 11 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

Pittsburgh @ Atlanta
Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games on the road
Atlanta
Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

Oakland @ Cleveland
Oakland
Oakland is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Oakland is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oakland
Cleveland is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home

Toronto @ Detroit
Toronto
Toronto is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Toronto's last 8 games when playing Detroit
Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Detroit's last 8 games when playing Toronto
Detroit is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto

Miami @ Houston
Miami
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games when playing at home against Miami

Baltimore @ Kansas City
Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Baltimore's last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Baltimore's last 9 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City
Kansas City is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Kansas City's last 9 games when playing at home against Baltimore

Colorado @ San Diego
Colorado
Colorado is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing on the road against San Diego
San Diego
San Diego is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
San Diego is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games

LA Dodgers @ San Francisco
LA Dodgers
LA Dodgers is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Francisco
LA Dodgers is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Francisco
San Francisco
San Francisco is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
San Francisco is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers

Chi Cubs @ NY Yankees
Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
Chi Cubs is 13-2 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
NY Yankees
NY Yankees is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
NY Yankees is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs

NY Mets @ LA Angels
NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 8 of NY Mets's last 9 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 8 of LA Angels's last 9 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Mets

Colorado @ San Diego
Colorado
Colorado is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing on the road against San Diego
San Diego
San Diego is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
San Diego is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games

Boston @ Seattle
Boston
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Boston's last 19 games when playing Seattle
Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Seattle's last 19 games when playing Boston

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NEW YORK RANGERS VS. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

The New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Amalie Arena.

Oddsmakers opened the Lightning as -152-moneyline favorites versus the Rangers, while the game's total opened at 5.5.

The Lightning were a 3-1 winner in their most recent outing on the road against the Rangers. That made winners of bettors who got Tampa Bay at -118 on the moneyline, while the total score (4) was good news for UNDER bettors.

New York:
Team record: 62-31-8 SU
Current Streak: lost 3 straight games.

Tampa Bay:
Team record: 62-28-8 SU
Current Streak: won 3 straight games.

Next up:
New York home to Tampa Bay Tuesday, June 14

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jody Demling

$5 EXACTA 6 with 1,3,5,8 ($20)
$2 EXACTA 5 with 1,3,6,8 ($8)
$5 TRIFECTA 6 with 5 with 1,3,8 ($15)
$5 TRIFECTA 6 with 1,3,8 with 5 ($15)
$1 SUPERFECTA 6 with 5 with 1,3,8 with ALL ($15)
$1 SUPERFECTA 6 with 1,3,8 with 5 with ALL ($15)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Hank Goldberg

$50 Win 8 ($50)
$10 Exacta 8 with 4,6 ($20)
$5 Exacta box 4,6,8 ($30)

Total: $100

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Race of the Week: Manhattan Stakes at Belmont | Saturday, June 11

June 7, 2022 | By Jeremy Plonk

The Lead:
The traditional lead-in race to the Belmont Stakes once again has lured a superb cast of elder turf stars. The Grade 1 Manhattan at a mile and one-quarter will be Race 10 on the 13-race card. Given the smaller field sizes in many of the key undercard stakes on Saturday, the Manhattan will be prime real estate for bettors with 10 quality entries.

Field Depth:
Grade 1 winners here include 2020 US turf champion CHANNEL MAKER, as well as GUFO, IN LOVE, ROCKEMPEROR, TRIBHUVAN, HIGHLAND CHIEF and SANTIN. That's 7 existing Grade 1 winners in a field of 10. TOKYO GOLD is US Grade 1-placed and an Italian Group 2 winner. L'EMPERATOR is a Grade 2 winner, while ADHAMA is a Group 3 winner and Grade 1-placed. There's no weak links here and no decided class edges.

Pace:
TRIBHUVAN is one of the tried-and-true pacemakers in the elder turf division in America. He'll be contending for the lead with CHANNEL MAKER likely content to sit second if able. It's less clear how it lines up from there, but the pace should be fair with those quality front-runners.

Our Eyes:
TRIBHUVAN got clear and loose in this race last year, only to be collared by stablemate Domestic Spending with GUFO 1-1/4 lengths back in third. CHANNEL MAKER was not in this race a year ago, but his presence Saturday makes it even more likely that TRIBHUVAN will have a difficult time sealing the deal. Certainly GUFO could take advantage of the more improved set-up, as could TRIBHUVAN's Chad Brown stablemate ADHAMO, who could play the role of Domestic Spending in the sequel. Those two seem the most likely beneficiaries.

SANTIN is pace versatile and is peak form right now after his win on Kentucky Derby Day, which shows he can handle a crowd and some pomp and circumstance pre-race. He's yet to run in New York, but seems to fire similarly no matter where he's traveled for a Brendan Walsh barn that's been really dialed in of late. I loved him on Derby Day at 7-1 and there's a reasonable show he will be a similarly attractive price again.

Most Certain Exotics Contender:
GUFO is 15-16 in the trifecta lifetime, including this same race in 2021.

Best Longshot Exotics Contender:
TOKYO GOLD is a fresh face who has come a long way back to Belmont after solid efforts here as a 3-year-old.

Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
Let's hit with laser focus. $25 trifecta part-wheel SANTIN, GUFO with SANTIN, GUFO and ADHAMO with SANTIN, GUFO and ADHAMO ($100).

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Belmont Stakes: Jeremy Plonk's Post Draw Reaction

June 7, 2022 | By Jeremy Plonk

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike drew post 4 of 8 at today’s ceremony to announce the lineup for Saturday’s $1.5 million Belmont Stakes. The final jewel in the 2022 Triple Crown is set for a single lap around the mile and one-half oval on Long Island. Peter Pan Stakes winner We the People has been installed the 2-1 morning line favorite by NYRA oddsmaker David Aragona, and starts from the rail.

Bettors playing the Belmont Stakes with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can take advantage of up to a $10 money-back special in the main event race – if your win bet finishes second or third. Multi-race bettors with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet also can benefit with a series of pick four and pick five hit-and-split promotions Friday and Saturday totaling $20,000.

We the People looks to be potential lone speed in the Belmont Stakes, having won the local Peter Pan in wire-to-wire fashion and matched up against a series of horses who have shown late-running tendencies in prior races. He’ll leave from post 1 under Flavien Prat. Look for Skippylongstocking (post 2) to be the other potential early speed, or perhaps Golden Glider (post 7), who pressed the pace in the Blue Grass. A slower pace Saturday could compromise the late rally displayed by Rich Strike in Louisville, so tactics in the Belmont will be key. Trainer Eric Reed said after the post draw that Rich Strike won’t change tactics; he’ll take back and make one run.
Saturday’s 13-race program that begins at 11:20 am ET with the Belmont Stakes post time set for 6:44 pm ET as Race 11. Early bird wagering for the entire Friday card is available Friday on both 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.

Belmont Park // Race 11 // 154th Grade 1 $1.5 million Belmont Stakes// 1-1/2 miles

1. We the People // Rodolphe Brisset // Flavien Prat // 2-1
2. Skippylongstocking // Saffie Joseph Jr. // Manny Franco // 20-1
3. Nest // Todd Pletcher // Jose Ortiz // 8-1
4. Rich Strike // Eric Reed // Sonny Leon // 7-2
5. Creative Minister // Kenny McPeek // Brian Hernandez Jr. // 6-1
6. Mo Donegal // Todd Pletcher // Irad Ortiz Jr. // 5-2
7. Golden Glider // Mark Casse // Dylan Davis // 20-1
8. Barber Road // John Ortiz // Joel Rosario // 10-1

For more Belmont Stakes in-depth coverage visit 1st.com/guide and download the free 1/ST BET and Xpressbet Belmont Stakes Wager Guide, available Thursday. Also check out Belmont Stakes Picks & Wagering Guide by 1/ST BET for our complete coverage of the final jewel, including contender profiles, blogs, videos and more.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Monday Myths: Do Closers Fire Best in Belmont?

June 6, 2022 | By Jeremy Plonk

Welcome to a continuing handicapping series for our Monday blog space, “Monday Myths.” Each week I’ll use the power of the Betmix database to take common handicapping assumptions and either support or dispel them with data. Betmix data powers the 1/ST BET app and its features like Angler and Birddog give data-minded horseplayers a treasure trove of information in which to query your own curiosities.

Assumption:

The mile and one-half distance of the Belmont Stakes gives deep closers their best chance in the Triple Crown.

Background:

Late-running Kentucky and Preakness runners often are earmarked by handicappers and horsemen as potential Belmont Stakes successes. But does the longer distance equate to success?

Data Points:

This week I utilized the official race charts for the last 10 Belmont Stakes at 1-1/2 miles to see where the winners were placed with a half-mile left to run. I did not include 2020 when the race was conducted at just 1-1/8 miles.

//

-1/2 length | Essential Quality (2021)
-3 3/4 length | Sir Winston (2019)
+2 length | Justify (2018)
-2 length | Tapwrit (2017)
-3 1/2 length | Creator (2016)
+1 1/2 length | American Pharoah (2015)
-1 length | Tonalist (2014)
- 1/2 length | Palace Malice (2013)
-3 1/2 length | Union Rags (2012)
-1 length | Ruler On Ice (2011)

Bottom line:

None of the last 10 Belmont winners was farther than 3-3/4 lengths off the lead with a half-mile yet to run. Six of those 10 were within a length of the lead, in fact, or in front. The average winner was 1-1/4 lengths off the lead at that 1-mile point of the race. The idea that deep closers are bigger threats in the Belmont is adamantly false in the last decade of the Belmont Stakes.

Additional details:

You can go into Betmix and run your own queries for a deeper dive into this theory and any that you can create. For instance, check out the distance pedigree ratings for contenders and how they’ve fared in the Belmont Stakes.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jon White: Belmont Stakes Picks and Analysis

June 8, 2022 | By Jon White

According to a poll conducted by Rolling Stone magazine last year, the readers selected “Take on Me” by Aha (I love that song and the accompanying video) as their favorite so-called one-hit wonder.

“Tell anybody in Europe that A-ha are one-hit wonders and they’ll look at you like you’re crazy,” Rolling Stone’s Andy Greene wrote. “Over there -- and especially in their native Norway -- A-ha scored hit after hit and were massively popular. They even played at the Lillehammer Olympics in 1994. In America, however they are the band with the cool animated video and the singer with the insanely high range.”

“I have no doubt that the video made the song a hit,” said keyboardist Magne Furuholmen. “The song has a super catchy riff, but it is a song that you have to hear a few times. And I don’t think it would’ve been given the time of day without the enormous impact of the video.”

Most people seem to believe that Rich Strike, he of the astonishing Kentucky Derby victory at odds of 80-1, is going to turn out to be an equine one-hit wonder.

“I see Rich Strike as a massive bet against in the Belmont Stakes,” New York racing analyst Andy Serling said recently.

A lot of people agree with Serling. On May 7, Rich Strike won the big enchilada in American racing, the Grade I Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Nevertheless, he is only the third choice at 7-2 on David Aragona’s morning line for the 154th running of the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes, which will be run Saturday (June 11) at Belmont Park.

We the People has been pegged as the 2-1 favorite on the Belmont Stakes morning line. Mo Donegal is the 5-2 second choice.

The Belmont, which serves as the Triple Crown’s final jewel, has attracted a field of eight. The moment it was announced shortly after the Kentucky Derby that Rich Strike would not be running in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 21, any chance of there being a 2022 Triple Crown winner went down the drain.

Rich Strike’s Preakness absence rubbed many people the wrong way. It reignited the debate as to whether the Triple Crown should be changed from its current configuration of the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby being held on the first Saturday in May, the 1 3/16-mile Preakness two weeks later, then the 1 1/2-mile Belmont three weeks after the Preakness.

NBC’s Randy Moss and many others think that Rich Strike passing on the Preakness is an example of why there should be more time than two weeks between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Because horses don’t race as frequently as they once did, the Preakness would entice a stronger field if, as many propose, the Preakness was moved to early June, with the Belmont then changed to early July.

I expressed my view on this last week.

“To the powers that be, I say please let it be. Do not fiddle with the Triple Crown,” I wrote last week.

“Moss has noted that if the Triple Crown were to be stretched out beyond its current five-week format, it might even be more difficult to sweep the series because of the likelihood that the fields for the Preakness and Belmont would be stronger. It is a valid point.”

According to Moss, the current Triple Crown spacing does not need to be preserved. That’s because it has undergone changes through the decades in this regard.

“People say, ‘It’s always been that way,’ Moss said last week during an interview with the Thoroughbred Daily News. “No, it’s been that way since 1960, which was the year that it changed to the current two-week, three-week format. But in the 1940s, when there were four Triple Crown winners, Whirlaway, Assault, Count Fleet and Citation, all four of them had four weeks between the Preakness and Belmont…It’s not as if this current spacing that we’ve had for the last 62 years was handed down in stone tablets or anything like that.”

The Triple Crown spacing certainly wasn’t handed down in stone tablets, but the spacing for the last 62 years is what most of us have known, with the exception of the pandemic-induced radical change in spacing in 2020. In 2020, the Belmont not only was moved later to June 20, its distance was shortened to 1 1/8 miles. It was the first time in history that the Belmont kicked off the Triple Crown series. The Kentucky Derby, run at its usual distance of 1 1/4 miles, was shifted from the first Saturday in May to the first Saturday in September. And the Preakness, contested at its normal distance of 1 3/16 miles, was shifted from May 16 to Oct. 3.

“Do you think that if a horse had swept the Triple Crown as it was constructed in 2020 that the feat would be held in the same regard as Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, American Pharoah and Justify? No way,” I wrote last week.

I agree that the fields for the Preakness and Belmont would likely be better if the Triple Crown was stretched out to eight weeks from the current five-week format. But as I wrote last week, “the premise that moving the Preakness and Belmont to later dates would likely produce better fields is an acknowledgement that the two races then would be fundamentally different than they currently are, the operative word being different. In other words, it no longer would be the same Triple Crown as when it was won by Secretariat in 1973, Seattle Slew in 1977, Affirmed in 1978, American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018.”

I went on to write that “when it comes to the Triple Crown, my vote is to leave it alone. But of course my vote counts for absolutely nothing.”

One person who sees eye to eye with me concerning the Triple Crown spacing is the great race-caller Dave Johnson, who has co-hosted with Bill Finley a SiriusXM radio show on racing called “Down the Stretch” for the past 16 years. The name of the show obviously stems from Johnson’s famous catch phrase, “And down the stretch they come!”

“It can’t change, and it shouldn’t change,” Johnson said in a recent interview with Amanda Duckworth for Thoroughbred Racing Commentary. “People still get involved with the Triple Crown. The national media is all over the Derby and what happens after. I would hate to see that change.

“It captures the whole country for these five weeks, especially if there is a Triple Crown on the line, but even if there isn’t. People came up to me in my building, on the street, in my diner -- people I never thought had watched a race -- and they wanted to tell me about the longshot [Rich Strike] who won the Derby this year. I loved it. If they change it, it’s going to become diminished, and it is going to become an afterthought.”

While people peppered Johnson “about the longshot who won the Derby this year,” it brings up a key question regarding this year’s Belmont. Was Rich Strike’s Kentucky Derby victory a fluke?

Maybe it was. Maybe it wasn’t. Considering Serling said that he sees “Rich Strike as a massive bet against in the Belmont Stakes,” it’s clear that Serling believes the colt’s Kentucky Derby win was a fluke. My feeling is it quite possibly was not a fluke. Does that mean Rich Strike is my top pick in the Belmont? Yes, it does, though I must say that I came very close to making We the People my top pick due to his apparent pace advantage.

My selections for this year’s Belmont Stakes are below:

1. Rich Strike (7-2 morning line)
2. We the People (2-1)
3. Mo Donegal (5-2)
4. Creative Minister (6-1)

IS THIS SIMILAR TO CHARISMATIC?

Sometimes a horseplayer can get better odds than they probably should when a horse starts next following a big upset. A prime example of this occurred in 1999.

Charismatic won the 1999 Kentucky Derby at 31-1. Many considered it to be a fluke. I did not, which is why I backed Charismatic monetarily in the Preakness. Because there were so many skeptics, Charismatic’s odds in the Preakness were 8-1. I felt that was an inflated price. I bet $200 to win on him. He won the Preakness, paying $18.80 for each $2 win wager or, in my case, $1,880 for my $200 win wager.

The main reason I did not regard Charismatic’s Kentucky Derby victory to be a fluke was the Beyer Speed Figure he recorded two weeks earlier when he won the Blue Grass Stakes. In 13 starts before the Blue Grass, Charismatic’s top Beyer had been a 95. All 13 starts had been in California.

Sent to Kentucky, Charismatic took a giant leap to a 108 Beyer Speed Figure in the Blue Grass. He verified that figure by duplicating it in the Kentucky Derby. Charismatic was credited with a 107 Beyer in the Preakness. Even though he went wrong toward the end of the Belmont when he finished third, he recorded another 107 in that race, which proved to be his last.

The point is that Charismatic failed to go higher than a 95 Beyer in his first 13 starts, but he then blossomed into a consistent triple-digit runner, posting figures of 108, 108, 107 and 107.

Rich Strike’s best Beyer Speed Figure in his first seven races was an 84. He then jumped to a 103 in the Kentucky Derby.

I’m looking at Rich Strike’s 103 as possibly -- I repeat, possibly -- being an indication that he (like Charismatic beginning with the Lexington) has blossomed into a consistent triple-digit runner.

Sure, Rich Strike benefited from the insanely fast early pace in the Kentucky Derby. But he was the one who got the job done, not Mo Donegal or any of the other come-from-behinders.

The opening-quarter of :21.78 was the fastest in the 148-year history of the Kentucky Derby. While the first half-mile was not the fastest in Derby history, it was a blazing :45.36.

“This is a historically fast, suicidal, radioactive Kentucky Derby pace,” NBC commentator Moss said shortly after the race.

Anybody close to that first quarter of :21.78 got burned. Indeed, check out where the first seven horses at the first quarter all were at the finish:

Position at First 1/4 Finish

1 20
2 13
3 10
4 15
5 18
6 12
7 17

Now check out where the first seven horses across the finish line were at the first quarter:

Finish Position at First Quarter

1 17
2 8
3 13
4 15
5 19
6 20
7 14
8 9
9 16

Looking at the left column in the table immediately above, it shows that the winner, Rich Strike, was 17th at the first quarter. Runner-up Epicnter was eighth at the first quarter, etc. That table shows that Rich Strike managed to outkick Epicenter and those who finished third through ninth (Zandon, Simplification, Mo Donegal, Barber Road, Tawny Port, Smile Happy and Tiz the Bomb).

A RIDE FOR THE AGES

As you probably know, Sonny Leon’s ride on Rich Strike in the Kentucky Derby was a masterpiece. Leon again will be Rich Strike’s pilot in the Belmont.

Rich Strike became only the second horse in the history of the race to win from post 20. From the other 16 starters to leave from post 20, the only other to win was Big Brown in 2008.

There are those who are of the opinion that Mo Donegal might have won if his trip had been similar to Rich Strike’s. They say that while Rich Strike saved ground while skimming the rail into the lane, Mo Donegal was fanned out “10 wide leaving the second turn and was making up ground too late,” according to the Equibase chart comments.

Because Mo Donegal had come into the stretch so wide, my guess was his trip must have been measured longer than Rich Strike’s. But according to Trakus, Rich Strike’s Kentucky Derby trip of 6,765 feet was 23 feet (approximately 2 1/2 lengths) farther than Mo Donegal’s.

When watching the overhead drone shot of the Kentucky Derby’s stretch run, you can see that Rich Strike was really motoring late when he overtook Epicenter and Zandon. This is one of the reasons I believe Rich Strike’s performance that day was the real deal. Granted, Epicenter and Zandon both were weakening somewhat, but it’s not as if Rich Strike lumbered past a couple of totally exhausted rivals.

The official Equibase chart lists the final time of the Kentucky Derby as 2:02.61. According to Daily Racing Form’s Formulator, which is an extremely useful tool for horseplayers that I highly recommend, Rich Strike ran his final quarter in :24.83 or :24 4/5 in fifths. That’s an excellent final quarter in a 1 1/4-mile race.

As I noted in my Kentucky Derby recap for Xpressbet.com, when it comes to final quarters in the Kentucky Derby, the king is, without question, the legendary Secretariat.

In the book “Big Red of Meadow Stable: Secretariat, the Making of a Champion,” William Nack wrote that Secretariat, who rallied from far back to win by 2 1/2 lengths, ran his “final quarter-mile in :23.”

Secretariat “raced every quarter-mile in the Kentucky Derby faster than the preceding quarter,” Nack added. “His final splits were :25 1/5, :24, :23 4/5, :23 1/5 and :23. No one could remember when a horse had ever done that over a distance of a mile and a quarter. Secretariat literally ran faster from start to finish.”

Nack pointed out in his book that Secretariat was just the third horse in Kentucky Derby history to that point to have ever run the final quarter faster than :24. The other two were Whirlaway in 1941 and Proud Clarion in 1967. Whirlaway and Proud Clarion both ran their final quarter in :23 and change.

While Rich Strike did not run his final quarter in :23 and change, doing it in :24 and change certainly is to be commended.

TRAINING ELICITS POSITIVE REVIEWS

Another possible clue that Rich Strike is better than many people may realize is the way he trained up to the Kentucky Derby and, most especially, how he has trained since that race.

Rich Strike drilled four furlongs in :48.00 at Keeneland on April 16. It was the 10th-best of 106 works at the distance that morning. That was followed by a strong :59.60 move at Churchill Down on April 27.

One reason Rich Strike did not receive more support from horseplayers on the first Saturday in May despite those two fine workouts was he did not get into the Kentucky Derby from the also-eligible list until the morning before the race, thanks to Ethereal Road being withdrawn.

Rich Strike has had two splendid workouts after winning the roses. The Kentucky-bred Keen Ice colt worked four furlongs in :47.20 at Churchill Downs on May 21. It was seventh-best of 138 works at the distance that morning. Rich Strike then worked five furlongs in a bullet :59.00 between races at Churchill on May 30.

Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch, who is as sharp as they come when evaluating workouts, has given a great big thumbs up with respect to Rich Strike’s workouts and overall training for the Belmont.

“Any notion that Rich Strike has emptied the tank with his monster performance a month earlier at Churchill Downs may have been finally dismissed once and for all here Tuesday morning,” Welsch wrote. “The Kentucky Derby winner turned in an eye-catching two-mile gallop over the main track following the renovation break.

“From his sharp workout prior to leaving Churchill Downs eight days earlier to this morning’s long and spirited gallop, Rich Strike has given every indication he should be sitting on another strong effort in the finale of this year’s Triple Crown.”

PACE SCENARIO A POSITIVE FOR WE THE PEOPLE

Rich Strike was 17 lengths off the early pace in the Kentucky Derby. Will he be way back like that again in the Belmont? If he is, he almost certainly won’t win, not when the early pace in the Belmont figures to be considerably slower than it was in the Derby.

But if the Belmont pace is moderate, I expect to see Rich Strike closer early than he was in the Derby. Trainer Eric Reed seems to be expecting the same thing being a distinct possibility.

As I said earlier, I was very tempted to make We the People my top pick in the Belmont due to having an apparent pace advantage.

“The likelihood that We the People will be loose on the lead Saturday, over a track at which he just scored a front-running victory in the Peter Pan, propelled We the People to the morning-line favorite over the likes of Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike and six others,” Daily Racing Form’s Jay Privman wrote.

Flavien Prat was aboard We the People in the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan. Prat again rides the Kentucky-bred Constitution colt in the Belmont.

In the Peter Pan, We the People seized the lead at once and went on to win in isolated grandeur by 10 1/4 lengths on a wet track listed in the chart as good. It would appear that some sort of wet surface, should that be the case, would enhance his chances in the Belmont.

We the People has won three of four lifetime starts. His lone defeat came when he was washy, did not break alertly, raced wide and finished seventh in the Grade I Arkansas Derby on April 2.

While the Belmont will be the first time that We the People has been asked to race farther than 1 1/8 miles, his pedigree suggests he could win at Saturday’s longer trip. His sire is Constitution, who is by Tapit, sire of a record-equaling four Belmont Stakes winners (Tonalist in 2014, Creator in 2016, Tapwrit in 2017 and Essential Quality in 2021). We the People’s dam, Letchworth, is a daughter of Tiznow, who had the class and stamina to become the only two-time winner of the 1 1/4-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The 103 Beyer that We the People received for his Peter Pan victory is the highest figure in the Belmont Stakes field, a bit better than Rich Strike’s 101 in the Kentucky Derby. The only other triple-digit Beyer achieved by a Belmont Stakes starter is Creative Minister’s 100 for when he finished third to Early Voting and Epicenter in the Preakness.

This is another reason I like Rich Strike in the Belmont. The bar is not exactly set high Beyer-wise. Mo Donegal, who without question is a contender, has yet to record a Beyer bigger than the 96 he got for winning the Grade II Wood Memorial and for finishing fifth in the Kentucky Derby.

The lack of a Beyer Speed Figure higher than a 92 is one of the reasons I’m not on the Nest bandwagon. Her trainer, Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, who also conditions Mo Donegal, has said he believes that Nest will appreciate the distance of Saturday’s Test of the Champion.

Nest is a filly. Pletcher won the 2007 Belmont with a filly, Rags to Riches, who I’ve said a jillion times should be in the Hall of Fame, though I’ve come to grips with the realization she’s probably never going to be enshrined.

I loved Rags to Riches in the Belmont, even though she was going up against Preakness hero Curlin, who would end up being voted a pair of Horse of the Year titles.

Let’s use the time machine for a small portion of what I wrote about the 2007 Belmont Stakes for Xpressbet.com:

“Can’t you picture it? Trainer Todd Pletcher is currently zero for 28 in Triple Crown races. What a story if Pletcher gets his first victory in a Triple Crown event with a filly in the Belmont.

“How about this scenario? Saturday afternoon, Rags to Riches proves she’s great by becoming the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in more than 100 years. Then, that same evening, we can watch a movie about probably the greatest filly of all time. ESPN Original Entertainment is scheduled to premiere ‘Ruffian’ Saturday night at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

“Rags to Riches is a filly with a ton of talent who is bred to relish 1 1/2 miles.

“Not only is Rags to Riches by Belmont winner A.P. Indy and a half-sister to Belmont winner Jazil, she is a granddaughter of Belmont winner Seattle Slew. And Rags to Riches’ sire is a grandson of Belmont winner Secretariat.

“Seattle Slew, the sire of A.P. Indy, took the Belmont in 1977 to become the sport’s first -- and still only -- undefeated Triple Crown winner. Seattle Slew also sired Belmont winner Swale.

“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what Secretariat did in the 1973 Belmont. Secretariat also sired a Belmont winner in Risen Star.

“Additionally, Steve Haskin of The Blood-Horse pointed out this week that Rags to Riches’ broodmare sire, Deputy Minister, sired a Belmont Stakes winner in Touch Gold.

“With the blood of so many Belmont winners coursing through Rags to Riches’ veins, it could bode well for the filly this Saturday.

“I have great respect for Curlin, particularly in light of what we have seen from him in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. But, after giving the matter much thought, I have come to the conclusion that Rags to Riches is going to become the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in 102 years.”

That’s exactly what Rags to Riches did. Despite stumbling at the start and racing wide, Rags to Riches prevailed by a head. Curlin had to settle for second. I bet $1,000 to win on Rags to Riches. She returned $10.60 for each $2 win wager.

PENULTIMATE NTRA TOP THREE-YEAR-OLD POLL

Next week, following the outcome of the Belmont Stakes, will be the final NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Poll of 2022.

Epicenter has a slim lead in the poll this week over Early Voting after these two had been tied at the top for the past two weeks. Neither is entered in the Belmont Stakes.

Four horses entered in the Belmont are on the Top 10 in this week’s poll. Rich Strike ranks the highest at No. 3, while Mo Donegal is No. 7, Creative Minister is No. 8 and Nest is No. 10.

This week’s Top 10 on the NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Poll is below:

Rank Points Horse (First-Place Votes)

1. 271 Epicenter (11)
2. 269 Early Voting (10)
3. 215 Rich Strike (8)
4. 208 Zandon
5. 164 Jack Christopher (1)
6. 131 Secret Oath
7. 121 Mo Donegal
8. 58 Creative Minister
9. 48 Simplification
10. 35 Nest

The Top 10 on the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll this week is below:

Rank Points Horse (First-Place Votes)

1. 261 Country Grammer (18)
2. 253 Letruska (9)
3. 203 Life Is Good (3)
4. 170 Speaker’s Corner
5. 164 Hot Rod Charlie
6. 149 Olympiad
7. 135 Jackie’s Warrior
8. 72 Golden Pal
9. 57 Express Train
10. 49 Flightline