Actually Silver, rumor has it that Belinda Stronach will be using the second jewel of the Triple Crown to solve some of her Santa Anita problems. The race formerly known as the Preakness will be renamed the PETAness. It will be run over a specially designed surface which has been created by Posturepedic in conjunction with NASA and with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez consulting. No runner will be treated with Lasix and no rider will carry a whip. At the concession stands only tofu burgers and dogs will be available, and because Miz Belinda apparently misunderstood a memo from Tim Ritvo, no milkshakes will be available at the ice cream stands. At the end of the credits rolling after the NBC telecast will be the disclaimer that “No animals were harmed or eaten during the running of this race.”

Firenze’s career best race was in last year’s Dwyer at a mile at Belmont so the Met makes a lot of sense.

You mention Channel Maker and The Manhattan on Belmont Day. Graham Motion has won the last two runnings of that race with decent price runners, let’s see what he has this year.

Motion’s Varenka, a maiden filly who kept Stakes company last year looked very good yesterday and obviously has a lot of upside