When Bob Ehalt and Tom Pedulla met on their first day at Fordham Prep School in the Bronx, New York, in 1970, they became fast friends. Tom was quickly exposed to the thrills of Thoroughbred racing by Bob.

They've had their share of tense moments at the track, with Tom getting irritated when Bob repeatedly hits him on the back with a programme when one of their horses goes all-out. Bob has been known to call for security when cashing a $27 triple, much to Tom's disgust and the delight of spectators.

They've owned several horses and were a member of the crowd that owned Tale of the Cat, the runner-up in the 1998 Whitney. They are frequently seen acting as if they had never grown out of their adolescent years.

Here's how they see the 154th Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, which will be raced over a mile and a half at New York's Belmont Park on Saturday:

PEDULLA: First and foremost, congratulations on having Early Voting in the Preakness, whilst I had to settle for second place with Epicenter in the Second Year in a row Triple Crown race. Todd Pletcher's name appears to be written all over this Belmont. He knows how to get the job done, as seen by his three prior Belmont victories, and he has two good starts in Mo Donegal and a strong filly in Nest. In my opinion, Mo Donegal, who upset Voting Hours in the Wood Memorial, has every reason to improve on his fifth-place Kentucky Derby result. Given his ordeal after breaking free from the rail, I was surprised he finished so high.

EHALT: Let me begin by congratulating you on putting these picks together under challenging conditions. When I informed you the New York Bee Gees would be performing at Belmont Park on Friday, I watched you start to shiver, bringing up some harrowing memories. I'm one of the few who knows about your brief singing career. You secured an ideal job as a backup vocalist with the Bee Gees, but you got into an altercation with Barry Gibb over your demand that "Fanny Be Tender" be altered to Tammy Be Tender since you thought it sounded better. Your career as a sportswriter since then demonstrates how persuasive that argument was. Oh well, disco's demise was a boon to horse racing. 

I believe. I'm going for a Meat Loaf after sparing some face by voting early in the Preakness, so we don't get shut out in 2022. I'm going with We the People to manage the tempo and win the Belmont Stakes because two out of three isn't terrible. I understand if you disagree, but please be gentle.

PEDULLA: Pletcher won the Belmont Stakes with a filly. We'll never forget being side by side in the press box as Rags to Riches outslugged probable Horse of the Year Curlin in one of the most intense stretch battles we've ever seen. If Pletcher didn't believe Nest belonged in a competition of this magnitude, he would never put her in it. I remember meeting him in Florida earlier this season, and he gushed over her endurance. If there's a horse designed again for half a mile, it's Curlin's daughter.

EHALT: That choice is no surprise to me, given your reputation as a ladies' man during our high school years. As for me, after witnessing Rich Strike practise at Belmont Park this week, I've concluded that he is not a member of Dexy's Midnight Runners. He isn't just a one-hit-wonder. I'm not sure if he'll overcome his slow speed, but I believe he'll be able to take first place. Let's face it, buddy. Toora-Loora-Aye, Toora-Loora-Aye, Toora-Loora-Aye, Toora-Lo

PEDULLA: The victor of the Peter Pan Stakes, at least on paper. As the only speed in an eight-horse field, we, the People, pose a danger to going post to the wire. He'll be even more hazardous if the track is wet and there's a risk of a chance of rain. However, he isn't American Pharoah (2015) or Justifies (2018), two Triple Crown champions who were never truly challenged in the early stages.

EHALT: With Mo Donegal, I see some of your reasoning and also like him for third. In the Derby, he had some poor luck, leaving his supporters disappointed and perplexed. Some people were seen wandering around with nothing in their pockets.

At the very least, the law of averages suggests that luck favours the bold, so I'm hoping for a strong enough effort to push him into the triple and end his bad luck.

PEDULLA: Bob, I'm going to make this enjoyable by leaving Rich Strike out and going with Arkansas Derby runner-up Barber Road for fourth place. , where he finished sixth after being 11 outside at the quarter pole. Barber Road is a deserving longshot for up-and-coming trainer John Ortiz, with blinkers removed and Joel Rosario in the irons for the first time. You're putting yourself in danger if you leave him out!

EHALT: Look what happened when you left out Rich Strike in the Kentucky Derby, Thomas. Since I already have him covered, I'm going with Creative Ministry for my final position, which looks to improve with each start. I'm not sure he wants to do 12 miles, but he's good enough for the exotics. Oh, and if you're seeking old song lyrics for the fourth time, unlike me, you'll have to look elsewhere.