Bob Ehalt and Tom Pedulla became fast friends when they met on their first day at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, N.Y., in 1970. Bob soon introduced Tom to the joys of Thoroughbred racing.

They have endured some rough moments at the track, with Tom taking exception when Bob repeatedly smacks him on the back with a program as one of their horses launches an all-out drive. Much to Tom’s chagrin and the amusement of onlookers, Bob has been known to call for security as he proceeds to cash a $27 triple.

They have owned a number of horses together and were part of the group that owned 1998 Whitney Handicap runner-up Tale of the Cat. They are often seen carrying on as if they never left their teenage years.

Here is their take on the 157th Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, to be run at a mile and a quarter on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course:

PEDULLA: Bob, as I take aim at a personal Triple Crown, I cannot help but to keep thinking about Journalism’s remarkable performance in the Preakness Stakes. What grit, what determination, to extricate himself from a world of trouble! The Santa Anita Derby winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up sure looks like a special horse. We will see how special when he turns back rested Derby winner Sovereignty and others in his third race in five weeks.

Journalism rallying to win the Preakness Stakes. (Eclipse Sportswire)

EHALT: Thomas, let me piggyback on your pursuit of glory like I did at the Preakness. I’m also big on Journalism. It takes a special horse to do what he did in the Preakness and for those kind of horses giving away a few weeks of rest is not an insurmountable obstacle. I think he’s the best 3-year-old and he will shine on the grand proving ground of Saratoga.

PEDULLA: Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has to be respected whenever or wherever one of his horses shows up. It is impossible not to view Rodriguez as the primary speed in this race and that makes him dangerous. Dangerous enough to be barely overtaken and wind up second.

EHALT: In watching the Kentucky Derby, it was Baeza who closed fastest of all in the final furlong. He was only a neck behind Journalism in the run for the roses and second to him in the Santa Anita Derby. Let’s ride that trend one more time with a Journalism-Baeza exacta – and box it just to be safe.

PEDULLA: Of the Belmont starters, I see Baeza as the most likely to make a significant move forward. It is impossible to pick him to top Journalism since he has fallen short of him twice already. I sure can see him running third.

Rodriguez after winning Wood Memorial Stakes. (Jason Moran/Eclipse Sportswire)

EHALT: Before Crudo entered the mix, I was thinking of picking Rodriguez to win. He looked like the lone speed in a small field, which would take the other top contenders out of their preferred running style. But now with the front-running Crudo in the field, he should face enough early pressure that he may be vulnerable in the final furlong.

PEDULLA: My old friend – I know, we refuse to consider ourselves old – by now you are asking what happened to Sovereignty. You know how much respect I have for him since I picked him to win the Derby. And we both have the highest respect for his Hall of Fame trainer, Bill Mott. My hunch is that he fired his best shot on the first Saturday in May. And, of course, there is value in taking a stand against him.

EHALT: Old? Compared to D. Wayne Lukas, we’re toddlers!!! I’m with you on Sovereignty. I think he was at his peak for the Kentucky Derby and maybe he’ll regress slightly off that effort here. It’s a risky proposition because he could easily win, but I’m banking on him taking a step back after the Derby. Good luck my young friend with your Triple Crown bid. Hoping you don’t get Meat Loafed. You know, two out of three ain’t bad.