The half year in review

Sure, there's still about 2 1/2 weeks remaining for the first half of the calendar year, but the Belmont Stakes closes the book on the Triple Crown and with it the first half of the racing year.

Triple Crown Insider hints at a turning of the page to the Road to the Breeders' Cup World Championships, but until then Jon Siegel and Joel Cunningham take a final look at the Belmont Stakes.

My view of the Belmont Stakes is Andy Serling's view, "The Belmont was a race with three real contenders. One (Dullahan) didn't run a step and the other two (Union Rags & Paynter) comprised the exacta. It was hardly a resurrection."

I see it as far more likely that Bodemeister will threaten I'll Have Another for three-year-old supremacy come the end of the year than will Union Rags, but the better question from a Horse of the Year standpoint is can either Bodemeister or Union Rags run with the top horses in the older male division?

We'll probably have to wait until fall to answer that question, as both Bodemeister and Union Rags will probably contest races restricted to three-year-olds this summer, but I have to think any wresting of an Eclipse Award from I'll Have Another will have to include a Breeders' Cup win.

One thing is for sure, unless Black Caviar comes over here and wins the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint followed by the Cigar Mile, it's fairly certain already that the streak of three consecutive female Horses of the Year will come to a close, as I don't see any distaffer in this group capable of running with the likes of Wise Dan, Game On Dude, Shackleford, etc.

What are you most looking forward to this summer and fall in racing?