Item! Casino Drive has been pulled from the Belmont! The Japanese owned entrant posed the greatest threat * to Big Brown’s Triple Crown quest, but was scratched this morning due to a bruise on his left hind hoof. A shame too, since he was the most formidable Japanese challenger in American sport since Takeru “The Tsunami” Kobayashi’s valiant attempt to out gorge a 1089-pound Kodiak Bear in a televised bunless hot dog eating contest * * .

But really, like the rest of the field, Casino Drive never really had a chance. Much has been made of Big Brown’s own ailment, a quarter crack on his left front hoof. I’m confident though, that trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. will shoot his horse up with enough drugs that he won’t feel anything except adulation when he crosses the finish line first.

With Big Brown’s victory a given, the only question now is how to ascend into the next tax bracket by wagering on this race. Of course exotic wagering is the answer. Here’s how I’m playing the Belmont:

Key Big Brown to win in a trifecta wheel with Denis of Cork, Tale of Ekati, Ready’s Echo, and Icabad Crane.

Ready’s Echo should be a great value play. He closed well to finish third in the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont. The distance would figure to suit his running style and his Beyer Speed Figures have gotten better with distance in his last three races.

Tale of Ekati, like Ready’s Echo, has experience at Belmont, winning both of his starts there. He’s also fresh, as this is his first race since finishing 4th in a tough Derby field.

Denis of Cork and Icabad Crane can also handle the mile and a half distance. The former rallied to finish 3rd in the Derby while the latter has genes loaded with endurance.

* The threat was not great
* * I earned a handsome profit on that one, taking Kobayashi under 35 hot dogs