[xxzzfile]

Belmont Park - Monday, May 28
$750,000 Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap
1 Mile (Post Time: 5:47 pm ET)

The Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap is race 10 from Belmont Park on Monday. Last year’s edition produced Tizway, who would go on to be a nominee for the Eclipse Award for Older Male. Always an important race, a win in the Met Mile solidifies the stallion career of any horse that can capture it. This year’s field isn’t large at six horses, but four of the entrants own at least one Grade 1 victory.

TO HONOR AND SERVE (Bernardini x Pilfer by Deputy Minister): Bill Mott pupil is three for three at the distance including his last two races which were wins in the Grade 3 West Chester Handicap and the Grade 1 Cigar Mile. He likes to be near the front, so look for jockey Jose Lezcano to get him involved early on as he breaks from the rail. His only loss in his last five starts was in the Breeders’ Cup Classic where he finished seventh beaten three lengths by stable mate Drosselmeyer. He has looked as good as any horse in the country in his last two starts, but this will be far and away the best field he has faced at the distance.

SHACKLEFORD (Forestry x Oatsee by Unbridled): Last year’s Preakness Stakes winner was winless since that classic triumph until taking the Churchill Downs last out over Amazombie. His only start at today’s distance was a second place effort behind Caleb’s Posse in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. The horse appears to be doing very well and could be ready to fire a big shot. John Velazquez picks up the mount from the injured Jesus Castanon. Dale Romans is the trainer.

CALEB’S POSSE (Posse x Abbey’s Missy by Slewacide): Probably the best sophomore of 2011 based on wins in the King’s Bishop and the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. His 2012 season has seen him finish a close second in the Tom Fool Handicap to track specialist Calibrachoa and a nose beat in the Carter Handicap to Jackson Bend. The one turn mile of Belmont Park figures to be his optimal distance and he should come with his best effort since he raced under the Twin Spires last year. Rajiv Maragh gets the call for trainer Donnie Von Hemel.

SAGINAW (Peruvian x Devilzene by Devil’s Bag): Many will dismiss this New York bred as not good enough to compete with the big boys, but that might be a mistake. The David Jacobson trained gelding has turned into a different animal under the tutelage of his new boss, reeling off five wins in a row. The David Cohen ridden gelding is being wheeled back on nine days rest, but that shouldn’t matter as he has won on short rest in the past.

CAIXA ELETRONICA (Arromanches x Edyta by Skip Away): This Todd Pletcher trainee is the Rodney Dangerfield of the group. Despite his strong resume, he will not get a lot of support. A last out winner of the $1 million Charles Town Handicap, Caixa Eletronica ran third in last year’s edition of the Met Mile. He should get first jump on the pace setters under Javier Castellano.

JACKSON BEND (Hear No Evil x Sexy Stockings by Tabasco Cat): Has found new life since turning back in distance last year at Saratoga, winning four of his next seven races including the Grade 1 Forego Stakes and Carter Handicap. The closer could find himself in a battle with Caleb’s Posse once again and with an extra furlong his foe might overtake him. Nick Zito trains and Corey Nakatani will ride.

[Dark Horse]

Caleb's Posse lost by a nose to Shackleford. CP lost his previous race by a nose as well. And the race before that by a neck. I love the pairing of CP and Maragh, and they had been unbeaten before these three races, but three straight losses like this suggest that Maragh doesn't have the best read on the race. If he starts his run a little earlier he wins all three.