Steve Haskin

MODERATOR:
Today, we have an opportunity to visit once again with Steve Haskin and get his thoughts on Saturday's Belmont Stakes, featuring the rubber match between Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo and Preakness victor Afleet Alex. We have questions coming in from all over, so let's jump right in.

Torrance, CA:
We all know that Afleet Alex and Giacomo are probably going to end up as the first and second choices in the Belmont; however, are there any other horses in the field that stand out to you, perhaps a long shot that you think could pull the upset?

Haskin:
I think Afleet Alex at his best is many lengths better than any of the others. But this is a weird race at a weird distance, and at a price I think Andromeda's Hero might be ready to come into his own. Also, I'm looking for a big race from Reverberate. Those would be the two horses I'd bet straight, throwing Chekhov into the exotics.

San Marcos, TX:
I was studying the past performances of a few of the past winners of the Belmont. All of them had a Tomlinson number well above 300, except for Point Given with a 298. Afleet Alex seems like the type of horse that can win the Belmont, his speed and pace are even and he generally wins from the back, but his Tomlinson number is 253. Do you think he can get the distance anyway?

Haskin:
I wouldn't expect him to have any trouble with the distance, because he relaxes so well, he has a good deal of mile and a half grass stamina in his female family, and he's simply the most talented 3-year-old in the country. The vast majority of the field still have not proven their class.

To read the complete transcript of this chat, along with many others, check out Best of Talkin’ Horses.

Best of Talkin’ Horses features provocative “chats” with some of Thoroughbred racing’s most prominent names. Adapted from “Talkin’ Horses,” the popular weekly online chat series hosted by Bloodhorse.com, this edited collection provides additional insights by Ron Mitchell, editor and moderator of “Talkin’ Horses."