I can think of at least three good reasons to watch the Belmont Stakes this Saturday.

Street Sense might not be in the picture, but thanks to trainer Todd Pletcher, we still have three gifted thoroughbreds to form a trifecta. Pletcher’s prize filly Rags to Riches joins Preakness winner Curlin and Hard Spun among the top three favorites at Big Sandy. With only four other horses in the field, and none (outside, perhaps, of Tiago) with much of a chance to win the Belmont, why not a trifecta?

Here’s how I see it going down:

1. Curlin (6-5): This is one special horse. Look at that Preakness win, putting away Hard Spun and posting a 111 Beyer. I don’t see any reason to bet any other horse to win this race. The proof is in the pudding: five career races (all this year), four victories, and third at the Derby.

2. Hard Spun (5-2): It’s much more of a toss-up this Saturday between second and third place. Hard Spun has a chance to win, but to do so, he’ll have to show more stamina than he’s ever displayed. This is a mile-and-a-half we’re talking about here.

3. Rags to Riches (3-1): I’m skeptical about the filly’s chances to beat the boys on the big stage. I’ll be more than happy to be proved wrong – this is a beautiful horse with great bloodlines and should cover the 12 furlongs with no problem.

Many horseplayers will choose to put Tiago (10-1) in the trifecta to generate some value. Can’t argue with that – I’d drop Hard Spun in that case, given the potential for him to fade down the extended stretch.

I hate to beat a live horse like that, but Hard Spun has yet to win anything longer than the 1 1/8-mile Lane’s End Stakes.

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