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Our writers' Belmont picks

Four writers each pick their top four finishers

When he runs to his best form, Irish War Cry is the fastest horse in this race. He is also one of just a few horses with early speed so he also has a tactical advantage. The mile-and-a-half marathon is always an unknown, but my theory is that if all the horses are tiring badly in the stretch, I would rather have the horses that are already in front rather than those trying to get there.

7-Irish War Cry, 2-Tapwrit, 8-Senior Investment, 9-Meantime

- Dick Jerardi

As long as it's a slow race, which is expected with the Derby and Preakness winners skipping, then it's an open race. Gormley won a slow Santa Anita Derby but got lost in the huge field in the Kentucky Derby. At 8-1 odds (or better), that's my winner here. Epicharis will earn an extra $1 million with a win, a little bonus for his handlers to ship him in from Japan. One question, though: Do horses get jet lag?

3-Gormley, 7-Irish War Cry, 11-Epicharis, 6-Lookin At Lee

- Ed Barkowitz

Would have had Classic Empire third if he hadn't scratched. Easy to go for fresh horses here. Getting the mile-and-a-half isn't always the key since everyone is often going backward at the end. Liked Irish War Cry to hit board in the Derby. Didn't happen, but why get off him here?

7-Irish War Cry, 4-J Boys Echo, 3-Gormley, 2-Tapwrit

- Mike Jensen

OK, I had a great Derby and a bad Preakness. Time to go out on a high note. I'll go with Patch, if only because 12 has always been my lucky number. How's that for research? Then we'll take Lookin At Lee, who served me so well in the exacta in Louisville, Irish War Cry and Gormley. Here's hoping I'm more than just the comic relief.

12-Patch, 6-Lookin At Lee, 7-Irish War Cry, 3-Gormley

- Mike Kern