Last week, Bodog Racebook took a look at three top Belmont Stakes contenders: Mine That Bird, Charitable Man and Rachel Alexandra - who is still unconfirmed for the race. This week, we turn the spotlight on some of the lesser-known contenders in the hunt for a slice of Triple Crown glory: Mr. Hot Stuff, Brave Victory and Summer Bird.

Mr. Hot Stuff is a 3-year-old Tiznow colt who first came to the attention of the horse racing world in the $200,000 Gr. 3 Sham Stakes on Feb. 28 in which he placed third behind The Pamplemousse and Take the Points. Two months later, he again finished third at Santa Anita Park in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (behind Pioneerof the Nile and Chocolate Candy). In the Kentucky Derby, Mr. Hot Stuff was jostled at the start and hampered by traffic right out of the gate - and according to trainer Eoin Harty, the WinStar Stable-owned colt did not take to the off track. "He seemed to struggle [with the track conditions in the Kentucky Derby]," Harty said, of the colt's 15th-place finish. Currently, the weather at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY., is making for a muddy track, but with a clearing trend in the forecast for the end of the week, Mr. Hot Stuff could find himself with the right conditions for a breakthrough performance on June 6. Currently in training at Keeneland, Mr. Hot Stuff will be ridden in the Belmont Stakes by Edgar Prado, who has won the Run for the Carnations twice before.

While not officially confirmed for the Belmont Stakes, Brave Victory is one of three possible starters for trainer Nick Zito - one of the most prolific Belmont Stakes trainers in its history. Zito has hit the board with 11 of 20 Belmont Stakes starters, including winners Birdstone (2004) and Da’Tara (2006), and could again have a longshot winner with Brave Victory. A Lion Heart colt purchased by Robert LaPenta as a yearling for $200,000, Brave Victory has cruised under the radar this season; he came in seventh in a forgettable Lexington Stakes performance on April 18. But he showed potential in the May 9 Peter Pan stakes at Belmont Park where he came in third and has worked well at that track since then, most recently breezing 4 furlongs in :48.55. "...It looks to me like (Brave Victory) will go the distance," commented Zito after the workout. Jockey Rajiv Maragh will get the mount.

Boasting a Belmont Stakes-winning pedigree, Summer Bird is a 3-year-old colt trained by Tim Ice. His promising third-place performance in the $1M Arkansas Derby on April 11 earned him $100,000 in graded stakes and the confidence of his connections to take a shot at the Kentucky Derby; this son of Birdstone came in an encouraging sixth. Since arriving at Belmont Park on May 19, Summer Bird has been taking his time getting used to the track. "I expect him to be a little uncertain about his footing, it's only natural when you change surfaces," said Ice. "Overall, he's coming along good; each day he's getting better with it." Kent Desormeaux has the call on Summer Bird.

The 141st Belmont Stakes will be run on Saturday, June 6; post time is approximately 6:30PM ET.

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Looking for our Archive of Expert Racing Analysis by Steve Davidowitz? Click here to find his take on the 2008 racing season including reviews for the 2008 Triple Crown and the 2008 Breeders' Cup races.