The Triple Crown races are always a highlight on the sports calendar. Big events like this bring a little extra something-something to the table and the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes promises to be another three course meal. Long considered a stallion-maker, this “Test of a Champion” will be run for the second consecutive year at Saratoga Race Course at a mile and a quarter distance instead of the traditional mile and a half. Yes, the Kentucky Derby champ and the Preakness winner will be present, but this race promises to be anything but a two-horse showdown. Let’s take a quick peak at the eight entrants running for their share of a $2 million purse. The runners will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, morning line, and a thought or two.
1 Hill Road (Chad Brown, Irad Ortiz Jr. 10-1) A win in the Peter Pan Stakes in his last out gave this son of Quality Road his second career triumph in five starts. Jockey has won this race twice (2016, 2022) but Chad Brown has yet to capture New York’s biggest apple. Closing style means he might finish in the money, but this Road looks to be an up Hill battle.
2 Sovereignty (Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado 2-1)- Kentucky Derby champion was all that in wearing the crown on the first Saturday in May. Now with three graded stakes wins in six lifetime starts, this Into Mischief colt will be rolling late. Will skipping the Preakness help as he looks to become the twelfth horse to complete the Derby-Belmont double? Certainly one to have in ALL your exotic wagers.
3 Rodriguez (Bob Baffert, Mike Smith 6-1)- Probably no secret that the break is the key for this son of Authentic as he looks to say “adios muchachos”. His gate to wire win in the Wood Memorial in his last start tells us he could steal it if they let him get out on an easy lead. Put Big Money Mike in the irons of a horse prepared by Big Race Bob and it means danger for the rest of the runners. A horse that could threaten the showdown people expect to see.
4 Uncaged (Todd Pletcher, Luis Saez 30-1)- The positives are the rider has won this race twice, the trainer has been victorious four times in the Belmont, and his pappy, Curlin, has fathered lots of winners. The cold hard truth is no stakes victories and never been in this type of company. Stranger things have happened, but likely to remain behind bars.
5 Crudo (Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez 15-1)-Has won two of three lifetime starts in frontrunning fashion by a combined 14 ½ lengths. He could absolutely affect the outcome if he presses the early pace, but winning against this group is a pretty tall task even with this jockey/trainer combination.
6 Baeza (John Shirreffs, Flavien Prat 4-1)- Zen master trainer and Eclipse award winning rider combined with a blossoming talent could break up the Derby-Preakness winner party. Has yet to figure himself out, but was an impressive second in Santa Anita Derby and a closing third in Kentucky Derby. Lots to like about this son of McKinzie but not quite sure he can get the big prize just yet. A definite to use in your exotic wagers.
7 Journalism (Mike McCarthy, Umberto Rispoli 8-5)- Whether you think he should have been disqualified for flexing his muscle in the Preakness stretch or not, there is no denying his absolute will to win. The final sixteenth was one for the history books as his ground gobbling stride made the impossible possible. The class of the three-year old division and THE one to beat here. Staying in the clear is the key and look for him to be closer to the pace as he attempts to become the 19th horse to pull the Preakness-Belmont double.
8 Heart of Honor (Jamie Osborne, Saffie Osborne 30-1)- First start on U.S. soil was a fifth in the Preakness Stakes. Has been the bride’s maid in three of five starts this year with one win. Seems to run with a lot of Heart, but it will take more than that if this British-bred is to make it to the winner’s circle.
