The Haiku Handicapper Presented By Form2Win: 2021 Belmont Stakes by Joe Nevills|06.04.202106.04.2021|4:30pm8:24pm Trainer Brad Cox oversees the care of Belmont Stakes winner Essential Quality Time to analyze the 2021 Belmont Stakes field, in post position order, in the form of Haiku; a Japanese poem of 17 syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five. To read previous editions of The Haiku Handicapper, click here. #1 – Bourbonic Thirteenth in Derby Accurate barometer Of his class level #2 – Essential Quality Practically ran this Going wide in the Derby Still head of his class #3 – Rombauer Shocked the Preakness field Is it a long-term form jump Or just a bubble? #4 – Hot Rod Charlie Belongs in this spot But “play against” is safe when O'Neill tries this race #5 – France Go de Ina アメリカで ぶどうを食べた 頑張るよ Thanks to Japan Triple Crown recruiter Kate Hunter for writing this haiku in Japanese, fitting it within the format's syllable parameters in that language. Here's how it reads in English: In America I ate a lot of grapes I will try my best #6 – Known Agenda Substitute rider Shouldn't harm his otherwise Sterling credentials #7 – Rock Your World Derby woes aside, Are we sure he has the gas To last on the lead? #8 – Overtook The one thing he has Over Known Agenda is A higher sale price Prediction “Quality” holds sway Over game Known Agenda Three, four fill super