Bram Weinstein talks Belmont Stakes

The Belmont Stakes is one of the big races Bram Weinstein sees as cultural icons, much like the red carpet at the Oscars … the quintessential American moment.

Former ESPN anchor and current America’s Best Racing personailty Bram Weinstein is going to the Belmont Stakes and he has a plan. First, have fun; that’s his mantra for horse races. Then, bet; he’s a handicapper and likes exotic wagers. Finally, be right; cash tickets.

“My favorite part of this is it’s really fun to be right. I learned this at a young age. Horse racing offers you the opportunity to be right once in a while,” Weinstein reveals.

The 2016 Belmont Stakes is not Weinstein’s first major horse race. While he earned his journalist chops covering mega-events like the Super Bowl and national college football championships, he’s also been to the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and, yes, the Belmont Stakes.

Before all the Triple Crown flash, Weinstein started going to the races young,

“My father was a big enthusiast of racing. I grew up in Maryland so we went to Laurel Park, Pimlico and harness racing at Rosecroft when I was a kid. He taught me how to read the Daily Racing Form before he taught me how to throw a baseball.”

Years later while his dad was still alive, the pair bonded as part of an ownership group of low-level claimers. At some point in the future, don’t be surprised to see Weinstein in the winner’s circle. He sees ownership as a way of being connected to the sport.

Belmont Stakes field offers wagering options

Weinstein’s not fooled by the late entry of Gettysburg to create an illusion of early speed. He doesn’t believe the rest of the field will fall for the trap laid by the rabbit. He wishes Lani would bound out of the starting gate like the rest of the field rather than standing and staring, as if on a two-second delay,

“I think Lani’s great value. He’s going to be 20, 25 to one. In the Preakness he was 27 lengths back at one point and ended up five behind. He can close. He jogs a ton of mileage every day so I’m not worried about distance or the turn around.”

History may be against Exaggerator winning the 2016 Belmont Stakes

Looking at the recent records of horses winning the Preakness Stakes then going on to win the Belmont Stakes, leaves Weinstein doubting Exaggerator can get the job done. (See the above video)

With that in mind, Weinstein reasoned who he’s liking for the big race,

“I like the closers, Suddenbreakingnews, Cherry Wine and I’m not discounting Lani. I am trying to avoid saying Exaggerator. I assume Exaggerator is going to take the lead near the top of the home stretch. The question is can somebody catch him?”