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 156^th Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, to be run at a mile and a quarter Saturday, June 8 at Saratoga Race Course:

PEDULLA: Bob, I am not sold on either Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve winner Mystik Dan or mud-loving Preakness Stakes front-runner Seize the Grey as the best 3-year-old in the land. I remain a believer in Sierra Leone, who missed justifying my confidence in him by an exasperating nose in the Derby. While I did not learn anything about bits growing up in the Bronx, I think I recognize a superior horse after all these years. And that’s Sierra Leone.

EHALT: Thomas, we have come full circle since the Kentucky Derby. We are both siding with Sierra Leone once again. I believe this is his moment to put everything together and turn in an impressive victory. Chad Brown winning at Saratoga? We’ve both seen that often enough to hop on board and cash some tickets, which you know is one of my favorite things.

Honor Marie (Eclipse Sportswire)

PEDULLA: There is a lot of value to be found in Honor Marie and I fully expect the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby runner-up to rebound from his awful trip in Kentucky, where he did well to run eighth. I am always drawn to horses that I am sure can run the distance. A mile and a quarter is absolutely no problem for this son of Honor Code.

EHALT: I thought Mystik Dan turned in a strong effort in the Preakness. The pace worked in Seize the Grey’s favor at Pimlico and trainer Ken McPeek’s classic winner showed his class by taking second. A Kentucky Derby win, second in the Preakness and a start in the Belmont shows his class and consistency. Add in the possibility of a wet track and he’s in my boxed exacta with Sierra Leone.

PEDULLA: Mindframe is 2-for-2 and clearly has a ton of talent. But it is asking a tremendous amount to think he is ready to handle such a deep and seasoned field in his graded stakes debut.

EHALT: I think the mile and a quarter is a big ask for Mindframe at this stage in his career. He has enough talent to be a big threat but not enough experience. Like you, I’ve slotted him for third.

PEDULLA: Bob, I know we both have great respect for Bill Mott. One of the keys to his success is that he does not ask his horses to do more than they are capable of. If he thinks Resilience can get a piece of the Belmont, that is good enough for me.

EHALT: I see your point about Honor Marie. Horses who have bad trips in the Kentucky Derby often rebound with nice showings in the Belmont. He had a miserable trip. This looks like his chances to get a good trip and land in the money and trigger some nice payoffs, which, like bright copper kettles, are some of my favorite things.