The Belmont/Presidential Stakes

The Belmont Stakes, the final race in horse racings, “Triple Crown” will be run this Saturday.  Since I learned how to handicap horses at my father’s knee I enjoy following top tier horse racing, even though there is no chance for a Triple Crown winner this year.  Actually, the whole field, a hodge podge of horses that all seem to have a fair chance in a field not dominated by anyone, is remarkably similar to the Republican field of Presidential candidates.  Even the thought process of those thinking of entering the field seems to be about the same.

President Obama was suddenly seen as unbeatable after his laudable strike against Osama bin Laden.  For a man who doesn’t seem to have high regard for the free market system, Obama followed the precepts perfectly in this Seal Team Six raid.  He took a great risk and subsequently reaped great reward.  And it did take courage to give that order, which I am convinced contained no option for surrender.  The team was told to shoot that pusillanimous little pig dropping right between the eyes and I am grateful for that order.  Certainly bin Laden deserved nothing more nor less.  So, with that win behind him the Republican ranks began to dwindle.  But then, the American people began to notice that whether bin Laden was dead or alive the economy was still limping—in fact it seemed to be wheezing and limping.  The Republican ranks started to swell.  A field emerged.

So, for what it is worth, here is my present handicapping of the field, knowing that some horses might be scratched, there could be a late entry, and anything could happen.  I’m having fun here, folks.  Take it at that.

Animal Kingdom:  (Tim Pawlenty)  He won the Minnesota governor’s race twice, running in a blue state.  Brains and a good record are always good down the stretch.

Nehro:   (Mike Huckabee) This horse is going to be hard to get in the starting gate, but will run hard when everyone breaks. 

Shackleford:  (Mitt Romney)  Good breeding and strong character, as well as an impressive list of accomplishments will make him a good bet.

Mucho Macho Man:  (Sarah Palin) Like this horse, she suffers from too aggressive a path to the race.  Too much early exposure and failing to complete a single term as governor of Alaska adds too much weight to finish the race.

Master of Hounds:  (Newt Gingrich) Like this horse, Newt has made too many trips across the Atlantic—especially after announcing his candidacy.   Like Palin, Gingrich carries too much baggage.

Santiva:  (Jon Hunstman)  Not yet declared, he is a dark horse that continues to attract attention with his intelligence, character and successful career as a governor, and Ambassador to China (good for a man who is fluent in Mandarin).

Brilliant Speed:  (Herman Cain)  A long shot with better credentials than the odds would indicate.  Successful business man and eloquent, straight forward speaker, the biased press still can’t believe a man this good is both Black and Republican.

Stay Thirsty:  (Rudy Giulianni)  A horse/man/candidate who fits the bill on paper but displays islands of brilliance in a sea of mediocrity.

Ruler on Ice:  (Rick Santorum) Wins only against a narrow field.  Enough said.

Isn’t He Perfect:  (Ron Paul)  See Ruler on Ice.

Prime Cut:  (Rick Perry)  Has done well in races that lead up to the big show.  Twice governor of Texas and doing well at it, history is on his side, but past isn’t always prologue.

Monzon:  (Jeb Bush) Monzon’s father, Thunder Gulch, won the Belmont, but that doesn’t help the son in the home stretch.  Jeb Bush comes from a legacy of hard work and success, but that doesn’t mean he likes this race. 

In horse racing, my father had two rules: always play a hunch and never bet on a gray.  My rules in politics are a little simpler.  I go for intelligence and character every time so my trifecta would be Animal Kingdom, Shackleford and Santiva in any order you want.  God Bless America.