What is class ? To me, class is not only the ability to run a big number, but the ability to do so under various conditions, competition and circumstances. That will be tested in today’s Met mile where many of the horses seem to have a legitimate shot to win. However, the winner will likely have the greatest class in the race… Where will this come from? Let’s take a look.

Mitole has a surfeit of speed, however is being asked to do something is not done before, in going a mile

Firenze Fire gets his hometown track, a spot where he is three for three and has run his two best speed numbers, the gaudy 107 and a 109, albeit not against the best fields he’s met.

Promises Fulfilled is a multiple graded stakes winner, but does not have a grade one on the resume, nor has he been able to show any ability to win without the lead.

Pavel has won a grade-one stakes, however it was probably one of the lightest grade 1 fields you will see in the Stephen Foster last year, additionally he is first off Dubai.

Coal Front has multiple graded stakes wins on multiple tracks, but does not have a grade one and has not been the best of the best of this generation yet.

All this leads me to McKinzie, who needs this race to solidify his status as a future stallion, seems ideally suited to get the mile having one at both shorter and longer distances, and has repeatedly run against the best of his generation. It’s now or never for this one, who doesn’t seem to want the mile and a quarter of the classic races including the breeders cup. He also has tactical speed, can lead when necessary, because of his natural speed, but is probably best tracking is the pace. There should be plenty of speed to run at, and despite yesterday’s speed bias, I have to think that with at least three of these hell-bent for reelection on the lead, McKinzie will get a near perfect pace set up

I will complete the exacta with Thunder Snow, who I believe will be an overlay based on his European base and his Kentucky Derby reputation. However, he has established himself as one of the best handicap horses in the world, and has already run well once here at Belmont.

Can you design a race for the others to win? I think you can, particularly if the speed bias from Friday persists today.

Regardless, the winner, in my book will have true class.