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Experts torn on which horse will top sparse Belmont Stakes field

Al Bello / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With the first two Triple Crown race winners out of action, this year's Belmont Stakes is a wide-open affair.

Neither Always Dreaming, the Kentucky Derby winner, nor Cloud Computing, the Preakness Stakes victor, will compete in the race termed the "Test of a Champion." The plot thickened Wednesday after Preakness runner-up and probable Belmont favorite Classic Empire was scratched due to a sole abscess in his hoof.

I tabbed four experts to help parse the field; judging by the variety in picks, the Belmont should be a great betting race with a chance at a big payday.

Matt Bernier, Daily Racing Form

Pick to Win: Twisted Tom (20-1)

"The group of three-year-olds running in the Belmont are either inconsistent, unproven at the graded stakes level or a combination of the two; I want a grinder that possesses some tactical speed, and Twisted Tom fits that description. He may not be fast enough to win this kind of race at the moment, but the Belmont often turns into a war of attrition, and that should play to this gelding's advantage."

Long shot: Twisted Tom

"He's the only real price I'm interested in."

Jose Contreras, America’s Best Racing

Pick to Win: Irish War Cry (7-2)

"He was in a good position in the Kentucky Derby but showed no late kick when the real running began. He's got good speed to put himself in the best scenario to win this race."

Long shot: Gormley (8-1)

"He made a middle move in the Kentucky Derby but didn't have much left in the tank after racing wide for most of the race. He's shown he can win on the lead or closing from the middle of the pack."

Candice Hare, TVG

Pick to Win: Tapwrit (6-1)

"He ran very well closing late in the Kentucky Derby, showing he could excel over further. Trainer Todd Pletcher does well with types like him who run in the Derby and then skip the Preakness."

Long shot: J Boys Echo (15-1)

"At long odds, I think J Boys Echo could have an impact. He hadn't done much wrong before a disappointing effort in the Kentucky Derby. Prior to that, however, his form is quite good and if he runs back to that, he's right in the thick of things here."

Penelope Miller, America’s Best Racing

Pick to win: Epicharis (4-1)

(Editor's note: Epicharis was scratched Saturday morning after failing to pass a pre-race veterinary exam)

"He's a striking, athletic horse; and while there's a question as to whether he can get the 1 1/2 mile Belmont distance, I like his chances on Saturday."

Long shot: Patch (20-1)

"What can I say: I'm a sentimentalist. But I also think he's had a good rest after the Derby, and I think he'll benefit from John Velazquez in the irons."

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