Belmont Stakes Experts’ Picks and Predictions: Who Will Win?
Written by B87FM on June 19, 2020
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, which compelled organizers to maneuver the Kentucky Derby from May 2 to Sept. 5 and the Preakness from May 16 to Oct. 3, the Belmont Stakes will kick off the Triple Crown collection for the primary time. The 152nd working of the race, originally scheduled for June 6, has been shortened from a mile and a half to a mile and an eighth. There will likely be no spectators or homeowners in attendance on Saturday.
The Belmont horses are listed so as of publish place, with feedback by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Instances. The morning-line odds had been set by David Aragona of the New York Racing Affiliation.
Purse: $1 million assured Distance: 1⅛ miles
Observe report: For a mile and a half, 2:24 (Secretariat, 1973); for a mile and an eighth, 1:45.40 (Secretariat, 1973)
Weight: 126 kilos
Put up time: Saturday at 5:42 p.m. Japanese
Easy methods to watch: NBC, broadcasting from 2:45 to six p.m.
Protection may even be streamed on NBC Sports Live.
Our Picks
Joe Drape’s win-place-show picks: Dr Put up, Tiz the Regulation, Modernist
Melissa Hoppert’s picks: Tiz the Regulation, Faucet It to Win, Modernist
Right here’s how we see the sector:
1. Faucet It to Win
Coach: Mark Casse Jockey: John Velazquez Odds: 6-1
Drape: A really speedy kind who likes working from the entrance. He’s coming off two victories, however not in opposition to the likes of a few of these.
Hoppert: This late-blooming colt received an allowance race by 5 lengths at Belmont two weeks in the past and will likely be ridden by a veteran who is aware of methods to win on this monitor. A strong upset choose.
2. Sole Volante
Coach: Patrick Biancone Jockey: Luca Panici Odds: 9-2
Drape: This late-running gelding is a rugged kind with 4 victories in six begins. He ought to have loads of tempo to chase.
Hoppert: He has received 4 of six begins, together with an allowance race at Gulfstream solely 10 days earlier than the Belmont. How he responds is a little bit of an unknown, however he has the expertise and a powerful ending kick.
3. Max Participant
Coach: Linda Rice Jockey: Joel Rosario Odds: 15-1
Drape: This son of Honor Code has been patiently dealt with. That is solely his fourth lifetime race. He must get an entire lot sooner.
Hoppert: He has not raced since winning the Withers in February at Aqueduct, and whereas he has been coaching effectively, his working model appears higher fitted to the race’s conventional distance.
4. Modernist
Coach: Invoice Mott Jockey: Junior Alvarado Odds: 15-1
Drape: He has been working outstandingly within the mornings and has one in every of Belmont’s hottest jockeys aboard. He’s a contender at a value.
Hoppert: The winner of the Risen Star had a troubled journey in the Louisiana Derby in March and completed third. However he has received two of his three begins this yr, each at a mile and an eighth.
5. Farmington Street
Coach: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Javier Castellano Odds: 15-1
Drape: One other with a late kick who’s going to wish the tempo to break down to safe his second lifetime victory. Wanting elsewhere for my trifecta.
Hoppert: He was second within the Oaklawn Stakes in April and most just lately was fourth within the second division of the Arkansas Derby in Could. He has an skilled group, however will that be sufficient?
6. Fore Left
Coach: Doug O’Neill Jockey: Jose Ortiz Odds: 30-1
Drape: Extra early velocity right here by means of California after a victory in Dubai at a mile. He’s onerous to make a case for.
Hoppert: Successful is rather a lot to ask after that lengthy a layoff. (He received the UAE 2000 Guineas in February.)
7. Jungle Runner
Coach: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez Odds: 50-1
Drape: He misplaced his final two races by a mixed 40 lengths. Sufficient mentioned.
Hoppert: He hasn’t received a race since November and completed eighth within the first division of the Arkansas Derby his final trip. Move.
8. Tiz the Regulation
Coach: Barclay Tagg Jockey: Manny Franco Odds: 6-5
Drape: He’s the very best horse right here, and maybe anyplace, and easily blew by his rivals within the Florida Derby and the Holy Bull Stakes. Can I recover from my aversion to favorites? Nope.
Hoppert: Not solely is that this New York-bred, who won the Florida Derby by four and a quarter lengths in March, essentially the most proficient of the bunch, however he additionally has sentimentality on his aspect as his group, of Humorous Cide fame, returns to the highlight. My choose (sorry, Joe, he’s too powerful to wager in opposition to).
9. Dr Put up
Coach: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Odds: 5-1
Drape: This late-developing stalker will likely be shifting with the favourite within the lane. I’m betting he offers him a run for his cash.
Hoppert: He has received each of his begins this yr and has Belmont Park’s main jockey on his again, however is that this distance a problem?
10. Pneumatic
Coach: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. Odds: 8-1
Drape: This Uncle Mo colt drained within the stretch in his final race. He will likely be out of it even earlier right here.
Hoppert: He sustained his first loss in three races, ending third within the Matt Winn in Could, however he confirmed some promise in opposition to stiffer competitors and appears to be enhancing.
