Bob Ehardt and Tom Pedra became fast friends when they met on their first day at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, New York in 1970. Bob quickly introduced Tom to the joys of thoroughbred lace.
They endured some rough moments on the truck. Tom took the exception and Bob repeatedly slams him with the program as one of the horses began a full drive. Much of Tom’s frustration and onlooker entertainment is known to seek security to cash out the $27 triple.
They owned many horses together and were part of a group that owned the story of the 1998 Whitney Handicap runner-up cat. They are often seen continuing as if they had never left their teenage years.
This is their view on the 157th Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA BET, which will run on Saturday at the Saratoga race course, in a mile and a quarter.
Pedra: Bob, when I’m aiming for a personal triple crown, I have no choice but to continue thinking about the incredible performance of journalism in the Preakness Stakes. What grit, determination is there to separate yourself from the world of trouble! The winners of the Santa Anita Derby and runner-ups of the Kentucky Derby certainly look like special horses. How special is we when he gives the sovereignty and others to rest in his third race in five weeks.
ehalt: Thomas, let the pigs stroll in your pursuit of glory, as I did with Preakness. I’m also becoming more and more journalistic. To do what he was Preakness requires a special horse, and giving such a horse a few weeks of rest is not an insurmountable obstacle. He is the best three-year-old and I think he will shine as a grand proof of Saratoga.
Pedra: Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert must be respected every time one of the horses appears. It is impossible not to consider Rodriguez as the main speed of this race, and that puts him in danger. It’s dangerous enough to barely pass and get the second round.
ehalt: Watching the Kentucky Derby, it was Baeza who closed the fastest in the final furlong. He’s just the neck behind journalism in the run for roses, second only to him in the Santa Anita Derby. Let’s take that trend again with Journalism Baeza Excelida.
Pedra: Of the Belmont starters, I think Baeza is most likely to make a significant progression. He’s already not reaching him twice, so it’s impossible to choose him for top journalism. You can see him running third.
ehalt: Before Crudo went into the mix, I was thinking about choosing Rodriguez and winning. He looked like the only speed on the small field. But now, with crudo running to the front in the field, he needs to face enough initial pressure to be vulnerable in the final furlong.
Pedra: My old friends – we refuse to consider ourselves old – now you are asking what happened to sovereignty. I chose him to win the Derby, so I know how much I respect him. And we both have the highest respect for his Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. My idea is that he fired his best shot on the first Saturday of May. And of course, there is value in opposition to him.
ehalt: old? Compared to D. Wayne Lucas, we are toddlers!!! I am sovereign and with you. I think he was at peak for the Kentucky Derby. Perhaps he will regress a bit from that effort here. It’s a dangerous proposition because he can win easily, but I rely on him to take a step back after the derby. Good luck with my young friends with your triple crown bid. I hope you don’t borrow meat. As you know, two out of three aren’t bad.
