When it comes to betting, NBC’s Bob Neumeier follows classic this rule: Always take your head over your heart.
And so it pains him to say, but he thinks the rested and ready Empire Maker will win Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, denying New York-bred Funny Cide his Cinderella Triple Crown.
“I know Funny Cide will be the sentimental favorite, and I am sounding like the grinch who stole Christmas here, but I like Empire Maker in the race,” said Neumeier, who gives Funny Cide a 35 percent of crossing the wire first.
The race goes off at 6:38 p.m., but NBC’s coverage starts at 5:30.
Like Neumeier, fellow NBC racing analyst Mike Battaglia sees the Belmont as a one-on-one battle between Funny Cide and Empire Maker. However, Battaglia thinks the glass horse shoe will fit Funny Cide.
“I’m still leaning toward Funny Cide,” Battaglia said. “I hate to pick with my heart, but I’d love to see the horse win.”
Neumeier countered, “There is an old story, that at least I abide by – maybe because I’m a cynical old horse player. Never bet with your heart, bet with your head.”
Neumeier’s head tells him Empire Maker is rested, having skipped the Preakness because of the foot injury that hampered him in the Kentucky Derby.
“Let’s not forget, he was the horse in the Derby that everybody thought was the Triple Crown winner, not Funny Cide,” Neumeier said. “He did suffer a physical setback the week of the race and was robbed of valuable training time.
“I don’t think the horse was 100 percent that day. I saw him beat Funny Cide with my own eyes in New York at the Wood Memorial as easily as you could possibly imagine.
“The fact that he has been rested for the five weeks since the Derby is a tremendous advantage for Empire Maker.”
That’s why Neumeier is ignoring his heart and following his head. A lot of people in New York hope he’s wrong.