Not only are the two tracks configured differently, the surfaces are very different.  Churchill Downs is HARD and shallow; there's almost no "cushion".  Belmont is deep. 

I remember during the 2003 Belmont when it poured rain for Funny Cide vs Empire Maker, it was a mess.  You sunk into the mud 6 inches or more with every step.  Churchill never gets that way.  It might get wet on top for an inch or two but you'll hit that rock hard bottom easily.

To beat Secretariat's 1 1/2 mile track record you'd need a fast enough horse and a track compacted down hard like Churchill Downs to help him out.  

+All

Beyond the Derby winner's surface switch montra Dogs has barked at the moon

...Derby winning jockey has 1 prep mount on Friday and Saturday. 

All jocks however have to know exactly where they are on the track and in the pace. 

There is a home team jock/track/distance advantage..

One mistake and the Derb winner entry becomes...

A Lost Easter Egg. (d)

I think Secretariat's Belmont record is safe in this version of the solar system.  In an alternate version, there may be another ending to the story.

I remember the 2003 Belmont.  It was a quagmire and I do not recall ever seeing the track quite that muddy.  That was a very short field, too.

Oh man. I think that was the year the grandstand toilets broke and everybody was inside because of the downpour outside. 

Sov said..."Oh man. I think that was the year the grandstand toilets broke and everybody was inside because of the downpour outside."

I was there and to pee, with the crowd and limited urnials...it was 2 to 1.

"Memories..."

What's worse was there was really no wind.

I have never been to SA, but I would think there is an even bigger difference between that and BEL if you know where I am going on this one.

Horse Shoes is something we don't cap very much . you would think in the 21st century there is the technology

that suggests the horse shoe to use on deep sandy Tracks, the Best for Churchill, S.A..

this is something I'm in the Dark about.

Creative Minister looks like he could be the horse here. His Preakness showed me room for improvement. On the downside, he’s the least fresh of the field as it will be his 3rd race in 5 weeks. And B Hernandez is not quite a top tier jockey. But given the flaws each other entrant has, he’s my top pick. Mo Donegal might be the most talented horse in the field, and should relish the distance, but has consistently had gate issues and has the wrong style as a stalker. That said, if I were to bet it, I’d probably use him on top as well. Rich Strike jumped up so much in the Derby, I expect regression but can see him as high as 2nd. Nest’s only flaw is her level of competition, it doesn’t look like the filly class is as fast this year. We the People had such a jump in his last race, he’s a toss for me. Barber Road somehow intrigues me, he looks to be moving in the right direction and could clunk up.