The 152nd Belmont Stakes will take place on Saturday in New York. Normally, the final race of the Triple Crown, it will be the first this year and will take place without spectators.ESPN's Chris Fallica gives us his best bets for the Triple Crown race, along with his thoughts on the day's earlier races.
[h=2]Guide to the field[/h]Horses listed in order of post position.[h=3]1. Tap It to Win (jockey: John Velazquez/trainer: Mark Casse) 6-1 ML odds[/h]Mark Casse has a chance to be the first trainer since D. Wayne Lukas in the mid-1990s to win the Belmont in consecutive years. Tap It to Win ran a huge race vs. allowance company at Belmont Park two weeks ago and had some buzz as a horse that could wire the field. But I'm against him here. The rail draw means he will certainly face pressure from the outside, certainly from Fore Left, possibly from Modernist and potentially from one more horse I'll discuss later. <offer style="box-sizing: border-box;">He could hang on for a piece of the trifecta, but I'm standing against him for the top spot.</offer>[h=3]2. Sole Volante (Luca Panici/Patrick Biancone) 9-2[/h]<aside class="inline editorial float-r" style='box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; height: 218.2px; clear: none; margin: 6px 0px 15px 18px; padding: 15px; width: 262px; border: 1px solid rgb(220, 221, 223); float: right; color: rgb(29, 30, 31); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' data-behavior="article_related">[h=1]EDITOR'S PICKS[/h]
</aside>It's hard to knock this one, as he has run six times in his career, winning four and never finishing out of the money. He has no gate speed, so he will be coming from off the pace. Some might be concerned that he ran just 10 days ago, but remember in a normal Triple Crown year, it's 14 days between the Derby and Preakness, so the turnaround doesn't really concern me. Who he has beaten does. Independence Hall turned out to be a dud. King Guillermo beat him at a huge number in the Tampa Derby, and Jesus' Team isn't a highly regarded horse -- whom he just beat in the allowance. I will use him in a defensive fashion, as I'd hate to lose a ticket because I didn't have him on it, but I think you can find better options for second and on top.[h=3]3. Max Player (Joel Rosario/Linda Rice) 15-1[/h]Joel Rosario having the mount instantly grabs my attention. Rosario won the race last year on Sir Winston and has five exacta finishes at 9-1 or better in Triple Crown races. He rides long shots with success. Trainer Linda Rice has not had a great start to the Belmont meet, but Max Player was really impressive from off the pace in the 1⅛-mile Withers at Aqueduct, and it would be foolish to completely dismiss him as the pace could fall apart and he could crack the exacta at a very nice price.[h=3]4. Modernist (Junior Alvarado/Bill Mott) 15-1[/h]Bill Mott usually finds his best Triple Crown finishes with long shots. Last year he won the Kentucky Derby via DQ at 65-1 with Country House. He won the Belmont in 2010 with Drosselmeyer at double-digit odds. Vision and Verse finished second to Lemon Drop Kid in the Belmont at nearly 30-1. So don't let the price deter you. This one won the Risen Star in a front-running, grinding fashion that does very well at Belmont. He lost all chance in the Louisiana Derby at the post draw when he drew post position 14. Despite that draw and the fact he was four- or five-wide the entire way around, he grinded out a third-place finish behind Wells Bayou and NY Traffic, who went around the track in merry-go-round fashion. A better draw and a home track edge makes this one very dangerous at a price.[h=3]5. Farmington Road (Javier Castellano/Todd Pletcher) 15-1[/h]I thought this one-run closer could be a big factor in the Arkansas Derby, but that didn't happen. He'll be shorter than he probably should be because of the presence of Javier Castellano and Todd Pletcher. I don't think the race really sets up for him at all, and he is best ticketed for the lower rungs of the trifecta and superfecta.[h=3]6. Fore Left (Jose Ortiz/Doug O'Neill) 30-1[/h]He was rerouted from the 7-furlong Woody Stephens to the 1⅛ Belmont, and I really don't know why. He's nothing more than a pace presence here and doesn't need to be on your tickets.[h=3]7. Jungle Runner (Reylu Gutierrez/Steve Asmussen) 50-1[/h]Why is this horse in the race? That's been a very common question thrown my way this week. I have a couple of theories. First, a fifth-place finish here would likely carry a better payday than winning an allowance race. The other theory involves Jungle Runner being an uncoupled entry-mate for Steve Asmussen's other horse, Pneumatic. When Creator won the Belmont in 2016, Asmussen entered a 55-1 shot Gettysburg to serve as part of the pace presence to soften up Destin, who was a threat to wire the field. He did his part, as Creator surged past Destin late to win the race. Now, Jungle Runner hasn't shown much speed in his career, so my theory could be completely off base, but I think he's here to serve as a rabbit/helper to the outside horse Pneumatic. He's certainly not in the race to get Calumet tickets for the race, that's for sure. But he doesn't need to be on your tickets.[h=3]8. Tiz the Law (Manny Franco/Barclay Tagg) 6-5[/h]<aside class="espnDaily espnDaily--inline" style='box-sizing: border-box; display: block; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(241, 242, 243); float: right; margin: 10px 18px; padding: 10px; width: 300px; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; height: 343.4px; color: rgb(29, 30, 31); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>
</aside>By post time, Tiz the Law should be the first odds-on favorite in a Belmont without a Triple Crown on the line since Bold Forbes won in 1976. He has done nothing wrong, winning at Belmont, Saratoga and Gulfstream fast tracks, with a third-place finish at Churchill Downs on a sloppy track the only time he has been beaten. He can be close to the lead or a little further back. His versatility makes him so good. Unless something really bad and unforeseen happens, I can't see him getting a great spot and trip here and not being a huge factor in the stretch. Trainer Barclay Tagg hasn't had a starter in a Triple Crown race since the 2008 Belmont when Tale of Ekati finished sixth. Jockey Manny Franco has ridden in two Triple Crown races. Franco finished 18th in last year's Derby on Spinoff and 17th in the 2015 Derby with Tencendour. The two were both 52-1 shots. So this is the first time Franco is really on a contender in a Triple Crown race. He's a very deserving favorite and will not only be tough to beat, but will also be very tough to keep out of the exacta.<aside class="inline inline-photo full" style='box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; height: 337.087px; clear: both; margin: 6px 0px 18px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; width: 524px; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; border-top-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 221, 223); border-left-color: initial; border-image: initial; color: rgb(29, 30, 31); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'><figure style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
<source style="box-sizing: border-box;" media="(min-width: 376px)" srcset="https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2020%2F0619%2Fr710117_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&w=570&format=jpg, https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?i...96x729_16-9.jpg&w=1140&cquality=40&format=jpg 2x" data-srcset="https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2020%2F0619%2Fr710117_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&w=570&format=jpg, https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?i...96x729_16-9.jpg&w=1140&cquality=40&format=jpg 2x"><source style="box-sizing: border-box;" media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2020%2F0619%2Fr710117_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&w=375, https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?i...296x729_16-9.jpg&w=750&cquality=40&format=jpg 2x" data-srcset="https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2020%2F0619%2Fr710117_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&w=375, https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?i...296x729_16-9.jpg&w=750&cquality=40&format=jpg 2x"><img class="imageLoaded lazyloaded" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; vertical-align: top; max-width: 100%; display: block; width: 524px;" data-image-container=".inline-photo"></picture><figcaption class="photoCaption" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; color: rgb(72, 73, 74); font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; padding-top: 10px; position: relative;">Dr Post is one of two Todd Pletcher horses in Saturday's Belmont Stakes. <cite style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(165, 166, 167); font-style: normal; display: inline-block;">Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images</cite></figcaption></figure></aside>[h=3]9. Dr Post (Irad Ortiz Jr./Todd Pletcher) 5-1[/h]I'm torn on this one. He has run two excellent races this year, but I'm not sure he has beaten much. He had every reason not to win in the Unbridled, but he responded with maturity when put in a bad position. But is he one of those Todd Pletcher horses that seems to just run well at Gulfstream and disappoint elsewhere? Irad Ortiz Jr. is seemingly winning everything these days at Belmont, so his price will probably be that of the second choice in the race, so I'd love to beat him for second, but I'll use him there too on some tickets because I don't want to potentially lose out of stubbornness. Since Tapwrit won the 2017 Belmont Stakes, Pletcher hasn't had a Belmont starter hit the board. It's the first time since 2004-05 that Pletcher has gone consecutive years without hitting the board in the Belmont. He's never had a stretch where he had a starter in the race three straight years and at least one didn't hit the board. So file that historical nugget away.[h=3]10. Pneumatic (Ricardo Santana Jr./Steve Asmussen) 8-1[/h]I touched on him in the Jungle Runner write-up, but I think he, along with Modernist, are the most likely to upset Tiz the Law. Pneumatic broke maiden at first asking, then successfully stretched out to a mile in his second start and then was stuck on the rail in the Matt Winn at Churchill Downs cutting out all of the fractions -- a position that doesn't allow him to do his best running. Despite that, he gutted out a third-place finish, losing by less than two lengths to the undefeated Maxfield, who would be right there with Tiz the Law in this race. Pneumatic should absolutely move forward off that race and with the outside draw should fall back into a much more desired stalking or closing trip. And if my hunch about Jungle Runner is correct, then move him up even more. You'll want him all over your ticket.
[h=2]Ways to play the race[/h]Here are some suggested plays for the Belmont Stakes. I tried to offer something for every type of player. Obviously, adjust as your budget allows.<aside class="inline inline-table" style='box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; height: 539.2px; clear: both; margin: 6px 0px 18px; padding: 15px; width: 524px; border: 1px solid rgb(220, 221, 223); color: rgb(29, 30, 31); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>[h=2]Belmont Best Bets[/h]
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[h=2]Thoughts on Saturday's other stakes races[/h][h=3]Race 2: Woody Stephens[/h]It's not often you see a Grade I race with only five runners, but here we are. Every runner in the field is guaranteed a piece of the purse money as a result. No. 1 No Parole won at Oaklawn from the rail and will have to do the same Saturday at a tough distance, but I'm inclined to stand against. No. 2 Meru looked like he had No. 4 Echo Town dead to rights at Churchill Downs, but he never went by. The pace should help him again, but trainer struggles in Graded Stakes races is a little concerning. No. 3 Mischievous Alex is 2-for-2 at seven furlongs and will likely get first shot at the pacesetter and then hold off jump on the closers. I'd happily take 5-2 on him.[h=3]Race 5: Pennine Ridge[/h]Christophe Clement runners are running very well at Belmont, and No. 1 Decorated Invader looks like a short-priced winner at 6-5 on the ML. Between No. 3 Proven Strategies, No. 5 Vanzzy and No. 6 Maroon Maniac, there appears to be enough pace to set up her closing kick.[h=3]Race 6: Wonder Again[/h]No. 2 Sweet Melania will have the pace edge and is a nice exacta key, but I'll lean toward No. 5 Selflessly. She won the Miss Grillo here last year and should get a similar trip to that Saturday. She had no shot in the Breeders' Cup with that post draw and should be set to win off the layoff. She is surprisingly the third choice on the ML at 5-2.[h=3]Race 8: Acorn[/h]I'll lean toward No. 4 Casual at 3-1 here, given she draws outside the even-money favorite No. 1 Gamine, who looked beaten at Oaklawn in her last race. She again will have to deal with facing all the pressure. Casual should get the trip and a nice pace setup. No. 6 Pleasant Orb faces winners for the second time and could be a nice price play at close to 20-1 or so to boost the exacta and trifecta.[h=3]Race 9: Jaipur[/h]No. 6 Hidden Scroll is in the field, and that's good for all of us that want a better price on a horse that can actually win. He's 8-1 on the ML but will undoubtedly get play. No. 5 Stubbins ran well in defeat in the Daytona at Santa Anita and should be ready to roll here in his second start off the layoff; 3-1 seems like a fair price on him. No. 3 Texas Wedge also comes out of the Daytona and certainly can win for Peter Miller, who has shipped and won at Belmont in the past; he's 4-1 on the ML. No. 4 Pure Sensation is the 5-2 ML favorite and always gives a respectable effort, was third in this race a couple of years ago and I doubt he's better now, so I would lean against him on top.
[h=2]Guide to the field[/h]Horses listed in order of post position.[h=3]1. Tap It to Win (jockey: John Velazquez/trainer: Mark Casse) 6-1 ML odds[/h]Mark Casse has a chance to be the first trainer since D. Wayne Lukas in the mid-1990s to win the Belmont in consecutive years. Tap It to Win ran a huge race vs. allowance company at Belmont Park two weeks ago and had some buzz as a horse that could wire the field. But I'm against him here. The rail draw means he will certainly face pressure from the outside, certainly from Fore Left, possibly from Modernist and potentially from one more horse I'll discuss later. <offer style="box-sizing: border-box;">He could hang on for a piece of the trifecta, but I'm standing against him for the top spot.</offer>[h=3]2. Sole Volante (Luca Panici/Patrick Biancone) 9-2[/h]<aside class="inline editorial float-r" style='box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; height: 218.2px; clear: none; margin: 6px 0px 15px 18px; padding: 15px; width: 262px; border: 1px solid rgb(220, 221, 223); float: right; color: rgb(29, 30, 31); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' data-behavior="article_related">[h=1]EDITOR'S PICKS[/h]
</aside>It's hard to knock this one, as he has run six times in his career, winning four and never finishing out of the money. He has no gate speed, so he will be coming from off the pace. Some might be concerned that he ran just 10 days ago, but remember in a normal Triple Crown year, it's 14 days between the Derby and Preakness, so the turnaround doesn't really concern me. Who he has beaten does. Independence Hall turned out to be a dud. King Guillermo beat him at a huge number in the Tampa Derby, and Jesus' Team isn't a highly regarded horse -- whom he just beat in the allowance. I will use him in a defensive fashion, as I'd hate to lose a ticket because I didn't have him on it, but I think you can find better options for second and on top.[h=3]3. Max Player (Joel Rosario/Linda Rice) 15-1[/h]Joel Rosario having the mount instantly grabs my attention. Rosario won the race last year on Sir Winston and has five exacta finishes at 9-1 or better in Triple Crown races. He rides long shots with success. Trainer Linda Rice has not had a great start to the Belmont meet, but Max Player was really impressive from off the pace in the 1⅛-mile Withers at Aqueduct, and it would be foolish to completely dismiss him as the pace could fall apart and he could crack the exacta at a very nice price.[h=3]4. Modernist (Junior Alvarado/Bill Mott) 15-1[/h]Bill Mott usually finds his best Triple Crown finishes with long shots. Last year he won the Kentucky Derby via DQ at 65-1 with Country House. He won the Belmont in 2010 with Drosselmeyer at double-digit odds. Vision and Verse finished second to Lemon Drop Kid in the Belmont at nearly 30-1. So don't let the price deter you. This one won the Risen Star in a front-running, grinding fashion that does very well at Belmont. He lost all chance in the Louisiana Derby at the post draw when he drew post position 14. Despite that draw and the fact he was four- or five-wide the entire way around, he grinded out a third-place finish behind Wells Bayou and NY Traffic, who went around the track in merry-go-round fashion. A better draw and a home track edge makes this one very dangerous at a price.[h=3]5. Farmington Road (Javier Castellano/Todd Pletcher) 15-1[/h]I thought this one-run closer could be a big factor in the Arkansas Derby, but that didn't happen. He'll be shorter than he probably should be because of the presence of Javier Castellano and Todd Pletcher. I don't think the race really sets up for him at all, and he is best ticketed for the lower rungs of the trifecta and superfecta.[h=3]6. Fore Left (Jose Ortiz/Doug O'Neill) 30-1[/h]He was rerouted from the 7-furlong Woody Stephens to the 1⅛ Belmont, and I really don't know why. He's nothing more than a pace presence here and doesn't need to be on your tickets.[h=3]7. Jungle Runner (Reylu Gutierrez/Steve Asmussen) 50-1[/h]Why is this horse in the race? That's been a very common question thrown my way this week. I have a couple of theories. First, a fifth-place finish here would likely carry a better payday than winning an allowance race. The other theory involves Jungle Runner being an uncoupled entry-mate for Steve Asmussen's other horse, Pneumatic. When Creator won the Belmont in 2016, Asmussen entered a 55-1 shot Gettysburg to serve as part of the pace presence to soften up Destin, who was a threat to wire the field. He did his part, as Creator surged past Destin late to win the race. Now, Jungle Runner hasn't shown much speed in his career, so my theory could be completely off base, but I think he's here to serve as a rabbit/helper to the outside horse Pneumatic. He's certainly not in the race to get Calumet tickets for the race, that's for sure. But he doesn't need to be on your tickets.[h=3]8. Tiz the Law (Manny Franco/Barclay Tagg) 6-5[/h]<aside class="espnDaily espnDaily--inline" style='box-sizing: border-box; display: block; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(241, 242, 243); float: right; margin: 10px 18px; padding: 10px; width: 300px; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; height: 343.4px; color: rgb(29, 30, 31); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>
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<input style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; line-height: normal; max-width: inherit; width: 278px; display: block; padding: 5px 12px;" type="text" placeholder="Email Address"><button class="button-alt med" style='box-sizing: border-box; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 10px 0px; line-height: 30px; text-transform: none; -webkit-appearance: button; cursor: pointer; transition-duration: 0.25s; transition-property: all; display: block; -webkit-box-pack: center; justify-content: center; -webkit-box-align: center; align-items: center; background: transparent; border: 1px solid rgba(0, 102, 204, 0.48); border-radius: 40px; box-shadow: rgba(21, 22, 23, 0) 0px 0px 0px 0px inset; color: rgba(0, 102, 204, 0.88); font-weight: 600; height: 32px; max-width: inherit; outline: none; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 18px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; width: 278px;' type="submit">Sign me up!</button></aside>By post time, Tiz the Law should be the first odds-on favorite in a Belmont without a Triple Crown on the line since Bold Forbes won in 1976. He has done nothing wrong, winning at Belmont, Saratoga and Gulfstream fast tracks, with a third-place finish at Churchill Downs on a sloppy track the only time he has been beaten. He can be close to the lead or a little further back. His versatility makes him so good. Unless something really bad and unforeseen happens, I can't see him getting a great spot and trip here and not being a huge factor in the stretch. Trainer Barclay Tagg hasn't had a starter in a Triple Crown race since the 2008 Belmont when Tale of Ekati finished sixth. Jockey Manny Franco has ridden in two Triple Crown races. Franco finished 18th in last year's Derby on Spinoff and 17th in the 2015 Derby with Tencendour. The two were both 52-1 shots. So this is the first time Franco is really on a contender in a Triple Crown race. He's a very deserving favorite and will not only be tough to beat, but will also be very tough to keep out of the exacta.<aside class="inline inline-photo full" style='box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; height: 337.087px; clear: both; margin: 6px 0px 18px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; width: 524px; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; border-top-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 221, 223); border-left-color: initial; border-image: initial; color: rgb(29, 30, 31); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'><figure style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
<source style="box-sizing: border-box;" media="(min-width: 376px)" srcset="https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2020%2F0619%2Fr710117_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&w=570&format=jpg, https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?i...96x729_16-9.jpg&w=1140&cquality=40&format=jpg 2x" data-srcset="https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2020%2F0619%2Fr710117_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&w=570&format=jpg, https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?i...96x729_16-9.jpg&w=1140&cquality=40&format=jpg 2x"><source style="box-sizing: border-box;" media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2020%2F0619%2Fr710117_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&w=375, https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?i...296x729_16-9.jpg&w=750&cquality=40&format=jpg 2x" data-srcset="https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2020%2F0619%2Fr710117_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&w=375, https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?i...296x729_16-9.jpg&w=750&cquality=40&format=jpg 2x"><img class="imageLoaded lazyloaded" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; vertical-align: top; max-width: 100%; display: block; width: 524px;" data-image-container=".inline-photo"></picture><figcaption class="photoCaption" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; color: rgb(72, 73, 74); font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; padding-top: 10px; position: relative;">Dr Post is one of two Todd Pletcher horses in Saturday's Belmont Stakes. <cite style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(165, 166, 167); font-style: normal; display: inline-block;">Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images</cite></figcaption></figure></aside>[h=3]9. Dr Post (Irad Ortiz Jr./Todd Pletcher) 5-1[/h]I'm torn on this one. He has run two excellent races this year, but I'm not sure he has beaten much. He had every reason not to win in the Unbridled, but he responded with maturity when put in a bad position. But is he one of those Todd Pletcher horses that seems to just run well at Gulfstream and disappoint elsewhere? Irad Ortiz Jr. is seemingly winning everything these days at Belmont, so his price will probably be that of the second choice in the race, so I'd love to beat him for second, but I'll use him there too on some tickets because I don't want to potentially lose out of stubbornness. Since Tapwrit won the 2017 Belmont Stakes, Pletcher hasn't had a Belmont starter hit the board. It's the first time since 2004-05 that Pletcher has gone consecutive years without hitting the board in the Belmont. He's never had a stretch where he had a starter in the race three straight years and at least one didn't hit the board. So file that historical nugget away.[h=3]10. Pneumatic (Ricardo Santana Jr./Steve Asmussen) 8-1[/h]I touched on him in the Jungle Runner write-up, but I think he, along with Modernist, are the most likely to upset Tiz the Law. Pneumatic broke maiden at first asking, then successfully stretched out to a mile in his second start and then was stuck on the rail in the Matt Winn at Churchill Downs cutting out all of the fractions -- a position that doesn't allow him to do his best running. Despite that, he gutted out a third-place finish, losing by less than two lengths to the undefeated Maxfield, who would be right there with Tiz the Law in this race. Pneumatic should absolutely move forward off that race and with the outside draw should fall back into a much more desired stalking or closing trip. And if my hunch about Jungle Runner is correct, then move him up even more. You'll want him all over your ticket.
[h=2]Ways to play the race[/h]Here are some suggested plays for the Belmont Stakes. I tried to offer something for every type of player. Obviously, adjust as your budget allows.<aside class="inline inline-table" style='box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; height: 539.2px; clear: both; margin: 6px 0px 18px; padding: 15px; width: 524px; border: 1px solid rgb(220, 221, 223); color: rgb(29, 30, 31); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>[h=2]Belmont Best Bets[/h]
| $1 trifecta | 8/3-4-10/1-2-3-4-5-9-10 | $18 wager* |
| $1 trifecta | 8/1-2-3-4-5-9-10/3-4-10 | $18 wager# |
| $1 trifecta | 3-4-10/8/1-2-3-4-5-9-10 | $18 wager# |
| $10 exacta | 8/3-4-10 | $30 wager |
| $5 exacta | 8/4-10 | $10 wager |
| $5 exacta | 3-4-10/8 | $15 wager |
| $1 exacta box | 2-3-4-8-9-10 | $30 wager |
| $5 Win | 3-4-10 | $15 wager |
| $10 Place-Show | 3-4-10 | $30 wager |
| .10 Superfecta | 8/3-4-10/2-3-4-9-10/all | $8.40 wager* |
| .10 Superfecta | 8/2-3-4-9-10/3-4-10/all | $8.40 wager* |
| .10 Superfecta | 8/3-4-10/all/2-3-4-9-10 | $8.40 wager* |
| .10 Superfecta | 3-4-10/8/2-3-4-9-10/all | $8.40 wager# |
| .10 Superfecta | 3-4-10/8/all/2-3-4-9-10 | $8.40 wager# |
| *repeat this wager a couple more times if your budget allows | ||
| #repeat this wager again if your budget allows |
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[h=2]Thoughts on Saturday's other stakes races[/h][h=3]Race 2: Woody Stephens[/h]It's not often you see a Grade I race with only five runners, but here we are. Every runner in the field is guaranteed a piece of the purse money as a result. No. 1 No Parole won at Oaklawn from the rail and will have to do the same Saturday at a tough distance, but I'm inclined to stand against. No. 2 Meru looked like he had No. 4 Echo Town dead to rights at Churchill Downs, but he never went by. The pace should help him again, but trainer struggles in Graded Stakes races is a little concerning. No. 3 Mischievous Alex is 2-for-2 at seven furlongs and will likely get first shot at the pacesetter and then hold off jump on the closers. I'd happily take 5-2 on him.[h=3]Race 5: Pennine Ridge[/h]Christophe Clement runners are running very well at Belmont, and No. 1 Decorated Invader looks like a short-priced winner at 6-5 on the ML. Between No. 3 Proven Strategies, No. 5 Vanzzy and No. 6 Maroon Maniac, there appears to be enough pace to set up her closing kick.[h=3]Race 6: Wonder Again[/h]No. 2 Sweet Melania will have the pace edge and is a nice exacta key, but I'll lean toward No. 5 Selflessly. She won the Miss Grillo here last year and should get a similar trip to that Saturday. She had no shot in the Breeders' Cup with that post draw and should be set to win off the layoff. She is surprisingly the third choice on the ML at 5-2.[h=3]Race 8: Acorn[/h]I'll lean toward No. 4 Casual at 3-1 here, given she draws outside the even-money favorite No. 1 Gamine, who looked beaten at Oaklawn in her last race. She again will have to deal with facing all the pressure. Casual should get the trip and a nice pace setup. No. 6 Pleasant Orb faces winners for the second time and could be a nice price play at close to 20-1 or so to boost the exacta and trifecta.[h=3]Race 9: Jaipur[/h]No. 6 Hidden Scroll is in the field, and that's good for all of us that want a better price on a horse that can actually win. He's 8-1 on the ML but will undoubtedly get play. No. 5 Stubbins ran well in defeat in the Daytona at Santa Anita and should be ready to roll here in his second start off the layoff; 3-1 seems like a fair price on him. No. 3 Texas Wedge also comes out of the Daytona and certainly can win for Peter Miller, who has shipped and won at Belmont in the past; he's 4-1 on the ML. No. 4 Pure Sensation is the 5-2 ML favorite and always gives a respectable effort, was third in this race a couple of years ago and I doubt he's better now, so I would lean against him on top.
Here's a link for free PPs of the Belmont:
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewer.php?track=BEL&race=10¶m1=4140¶m2=1380¶m3=1333200
!/
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewer.php?track=BEL&race=10¶m1=4140¶m2=1380¶m3=1333200
!/yes. a mile and 1/4 is the usual distance. today its a mile and 1/8. it won't make a difference in which is the better horse. there is going to be 1 heavy favorite today so i would find and angle to try to beat. i wouldn't spend a lot of money on it though. the faves have been winning the preps this year so far.
funny....
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| <cite>winning jockey post race interview, first camera shot where face is visible, mask must cover / hang from any part of the face, live video only</cite> | |||||||
| Sat 6/20 | 821 Post race interview: Jockey wears mask | <input name="M1_59" id="editx" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: normal; -ms-text-size-adjust: none;" size="4"> 1.541 | |||||
| 5:42PM | 822 Post race interview: Jockey no mask worn | <input name="M2_59" id="editx" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: normal; -ms-text-size-adjust: none;" size="4"> 2.450 |
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That Direct link didn't work.
Try this one:
https://www.horseracingnation.com/content/free_past_performances_pps
Try this one:
https://www.horseracingnation.com/content/free_past_performances_pps
