MJ,

I am often in agreement with what you post, but I guess I don't see the value in your point, if you don't mean the horse is "live".

YEs, in a couple of paceless Belmonts, Pletcher sent a few horses with minimal speed like Dunkirk and Commissioner. I would disagree with Materiality being sent. The horse was so disgustingly prepared and over the top, he couldn't get near a 48 and change half, despite having 46 speed. Destin took a perfect pocket trip. A Castellano special until the last damn stride.

As for this year's Belmont, there is enough speed that Tapwrit being sent or not is irrelevant. If irish War Cry runs, he is way quicker. Meantime is very quick. Patch, Gormley and Conquest Mo Money all have more speed as well.

Whether Tapwrit is sent or not, I don't see it affecting how the race gets handicapped. Now, whether Tapwrit can run a big figure here, that is a question worth looking at.

Joe B - on a related point, not sure how the heck you come to a conclusion that IWC is distance challenged. Distance Challenged horses don't run negative 2 at 1 1/8 in April of their 3 year old seasons. The horse bounced off his first big figure in Florida and then bounced again in the Derby off the negative 2. (as many predicted - me not being one of them, I used the horse). HE has no distance challenges, at least none that we can see evidence for. As a matter of fact the dam side breeding is awfully robust for distance.