My handicap of the Belmont begins with the belief that these three horses are at least five lengths better than the rest. And as long as their riders don't panic and move too soon, they should stay the marathon distance.

Curlin might be the most vulnerable of the big three. His Preakness win in overtaking Street Sense was an amazing, yet exhausting, effort. And this will be his fourth major race in eight weeks, as tough a schedule as a modern racehorse faces.

To nitpick at Rags to Riches is like pointing out a small mole on Scarlett Johansson's face. However, I'll need to be shown the horse's powerful rallies in shorter races will translate in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont.

That leaves my pick to win the race, Hard Spun. He has the fastest cruising speed of the three and a distance pedigree to die for. New jockey Garrett Gomez should sit like a statue until the quarter pole and then let this colt give his best late.

My picks for the Belmont are, in order: Hard Spun, Rags to Riches, Curlin and Tiago.

Richard Eng's horse racing column is published Friday. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com.