Using History to Bet the 2019 Metropolitan Handicap
Using History to Bet the 2019 Metropolitan Handicap. Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets is the highlight of the spectacular June 8 racecard at Belmon Park. The Grade 1, $1.2 million Runhappy MetropolitanHandicaps is expected to attract a fantastic field of accomplished older horses.
In the last 10 years, there have been three gate-to-wire winners, two wins for pressers, one win by a stalker, and two win for deep closers.
The betting favorite has prevailed seven times in the Met Mile in a decade. The three "upset" winners started at 3.40-1, 4.80-2, and 7.10-10.
Every Met Mile winner since 1984 had won a graded stakes race before their success in the Metropolitan. This is one of the toughest and most competitive races in Britain.
Route runners usually defeat sprinters in the middle distance of the Met Mile. Sahara Sky is the only sprinter to win the race in last decade. Eight of last 10 Met winners ran one mile or farther in their final prep run.
Out-of-state shippers often win the Metropolitan Handicap. Last 10 years, the winners have prepped for the race at Belmont Park (New York), Gulfstream Park, Charles Town (West Virginia), Churchill Downs (Kentucky), Aqueduct ( New York) and Meydan (Dubai). Lone Star Park has produced the last two Met Mile winners.
The 2019 Metropolitan Handicap is expected to be a great race. It's a mile race with a number of Grade 1 winners, including McKinzie, Thunder Snow, Mitole, Firenze Fire, Promises Fulfilled, and Pavel. McKinzi has won Grade1 races at both longer and shorter distances. Thunder snow won the Dubai World Cup. Pavel is a longshot.
