The Belmont Stakes, the third jewel in the Triple Crown, will be run in two weeks on Saturday, June 8. The race is shaping up to be an extremely competitive affair, featuring as many as a dozen of the best 3YOs in training. Horseplayers are familiar with several of the horses, but they will see a few others for the first time as they take a big step up into Grade 1 stakes company.

Churchill Downs

Race 7 (3:51 p.m. ET/12:51 p.m. PT) — $134K Allowance-Claiming at 5½-furlongs on the turf for 3YOs & up

#6 CLEAR THE AIR (5-1 morning line). Super-quick 4YO son of Ransom the Moon scored an upset win at Keeneland four weeks ago. I see no reason why this guy can’t repeat the closing effort for trainer Bill Walden, who replaces Joel Rosario with Jose Ortiz. Clear the Winner’s Circle

Race 8 (4:23 p.m. ET/1:23 p.m. PT) — $54K Starter-Allowance at 7 furlongs for 3YOs & up

#9 LANDLORD (4-1 morning line) as he adds furlong after a successful sprint at Oaklawn Park last month when ridden by young hot-shot Keith Asmussen, who retains the ride. Fast sophomore gelding looks to improve his record to 3-of-4 for trainer Ron Moquett. Sharp recent work. Rent is due.

Race 9 (4:55 p.m. ET/1:55 p.m. PT) — $17K Allowance-Claiming for 3YO fillies at 6 furlongs

#7 NAY V BELLE (5-1 morning line) for sneaky-good, new trainer Greg Foley and superior jockey Frankie Dettori, who stays in the saddle. Gal flashed ability in three previous races at Santa Anita. Ride the wave.

Race 10 (5:27 p.m. ET/2:27 p.m. PT) — $250K Keertana Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/2-mile on turf

#2 CHOP CHOP (9-5 morning line) for top conditioner Brad Cox and Eclipse-winner apprentice jockey Axel Concepcion, who knows how to steer veteran filly to Winner’s Circle. Drops in class after G3 stakes score at Keeneland.

The Pennine Ridge, Belmont at the Big A, Race #7

As they head postward, the favorite is expected to be #2 Legend of Time who will try to win in the US on second asking for superstar Euro trainer Charlie Appleby. He was disappointing last out at Keeneland and is not part of the “A” string for Appleby, so I’ll take a shot against him here.

#3 Risk Tolerance looks like the next dominant turf horse for Chad Brown. He showed tactical speed, something Brown is not known for, while chasing a decent pace on debut and then was able to run down the leaders with an average at best trip. Any step forward today will make him very difficult.

The other Brown in here is the #1 White Palomino who was impressive at Keeneland last time out while getting a perfect trip. Prat picks up the mount and I like the confidence that Brown shows in this one wheel back into a graded stakes off that maiden score.

#7 Triple Espresso enters the race as the most experienced contender and even tried the Derby trail in the Jeff Ruby Steaks. Turf is his best surface, but he will need to improve to beat any of the top three and the price is not that enticing for him to do so.