How to bet the 2020 Metropolitan Handicap

As usual, a deep field has been entered to contest the $500,000 Metropolitan H. (G1) on Independence Day at Belmont Park.

The 1-mile race is one of the most prestigious prizes in the country for older horses and serves as a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Nov. 7 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), though it’s just as likely to produce contenders for the 1 1/4-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) or the 6-furlong Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).

Such was the case in 2019, when #3 McKinzie (2-1) battled through traffic to finish a close second behind eventual Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Mitole in the "Met Mile.” Trained by Bob Baffert, McKinzie went on to claim the 1 1/8-mile Whitney (G1) at Saratoga, then finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic to stamp his credentials as one of the best horses in training.

McKinzie is back to seek redemption in the Met Mile and enters off a comfortable victory in the 7-furlong Triple Bend (G2) at Santa Anita. He is training sharply and brings a steady string of competitive Brisnet Speed ratings to the mix, but with just three wins from his last nine starts, McKinzie hasn’t been the type to trust completely at a short price. He has been defeated three times as an odds-on favorite since the beginning of 2019.

#2 Vekoma (5-2) is the second choice, after he crushed the 7-furlong Carter H. (G1) at Belmont by 7 1/4 lengths and earned a massive 113 Brisnet Speed rating. The winner of the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass (G2) last season, Vekoma has thrived since he cut back in distance, but how much was he aided by a sloppy track in the Carter? He is bred top and bottom to thrive in the mud and will have to reproduce his Carter effort on a dry track to vie for victory in the Met Mile.

That’s why I’m taking a shot with #5 Code of Honor (3-1). The winner of the Travers (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at 1 1/4 miles last year, Code of Honor is just as effective racing around one turn at Belmont Park. Trained by Shug McGaughey, who has gone 5-for-18 (28%) to start the Belmont meet, Code of Honor kicked off his 2020 campaign with a deceptively comfortable victory in Belmont’s 1 1/16-mile Westchester (G3), where he rallied to win by a half-length, with something left in the tank.

There should be enough speed in the Met Mile to set up Code of Honor’s late charge, and with the benefit of a prep run under his belt, he can deliver a career-best effort.

Let’s bet Code of Honor on top of McKinzie, Vekoma, and Carter runner-up #1 Network Effect in the exacta and trifecta.

$5 exacta: 5 with 2,3 ($10)
$5 trifecta: 5 with 2,3 with 1,2,3 ($20)
Total: $30

Good luck!