The highlight of the Memorial Day weekend at Belmont Park is also one of the highlights of the yearly NYRA stakes calendar as the Met Mile will be run for the 114th time on Monday. And while it may not have the star attraction of a Ghostzapper from two years ago, it does host a fascinating, high-quality cast of 10 — including three millionaires — with nine betting interests.

Mr. Umphrey has been entered as a rabbit by Dutrow to aid the late kick of Silver Wagon, although it doesn’t appear that the expected pace in this one-turn, one-mile event will need any added juice.

Half Ours, who has been favored in all previous six starts, may prove the early pacesetter, although Accountforthegold, Latent Heat, Political Force and Silent Name all figure to remain in close attendance.

Accountforhtegold is also cross-entered in the Frisk Me Now Stakes at Monmouth, no doubt a softer spot.

With this expected early pace battle, the pick in the Met Mile belongs to Lawyer Ron, who may fall into a beautiful position tucked in neatly behind the leaders.

I saw Lawyer Ron at Pletcher’s Palm Meadows Stable this past January, and he truly looked fantastic from a physical standpoint. What has been an even sweeter surprise is that he has appeared to have grown mentally as well, no longer as headstrong as he had been in his races early in his 3-year-old campaign.

An outside post would have been preferred, but if Prado can nestle into a cozy spot and Lawyer Ron is able to relax early, the Pletcher runner should prove very tough. And given the depth of this field, don’t expect the odds to dip much lower than the current 5/2 morning-line price.

I am taking a bit of a flyer for the runner-up position, extending the call to Corinthian.

When he puts it all together, Corinthian is capable of very good things. He has now been away since absolutely losing all chance when jumping at the start of the Excelsior on Apr. 7, and recent works have been sensational. Have to believe the one sweeping turn of this race will suit this big fella, and you should receive every bit of the 10-1 price.

I have never been a big fan of Sun King, and he is 0-for-12 in Grade 1 races, but I will be the first to admit that he has run well enough to be considered deserving. Zito has been pointing for this race since a heart-breaking loss one year ago to Silver Train, and he should once again run well.

On paper, the race appears to set-up nicely for Silver Wagon, but there is some concern that he has just a single second-place finish from three career starts at Belmont, and holds a similar record at this one-mile distance.

Latent Heat is already a Grade 1 winner, although given the anticipated pace, wonder if seven furlongs wouldn’t be a better distance than eight?

StablePicks: 1st — Lawyer Ron
………………….2nd — Corinthian
………………….3rd — Sun King

UPDATE!
**RESULTS**
1st — Corinthian ($21.60)
2nd — Political Force
3rd — Lawyer Ron