By: Chase Willis
Hey all! Welcome to my post previewing the Belmont Stakes, which will take place this week on June 10th, post time 6:50 PM Eastern Standard Time.
While I’m disappointed we will not see a Triple Crown winner, there is a lot to look forward to for the 155th annual Belmont Stakes. Many storylines are present in preparation for the race, as Forte is set to make a return to the track after being scratched from the 2023 Kentucky Derby and missing the Preakness Stakes due to a bruised foot.
National Treasure looks to follow up his stout Preakness victory with a win at Belmont Park. But, this won’t prove easy for the favorites, as some competitors such as Red Route One, Hit Show and Arabian Lion could prove spoiler. Kingsbarns, while confirmed for Belmont, had to be scratched due to falling ill with colic – best wishes to him to get better soon and a full recovery!
Updated Odds with gate position in order of Gate:
1: Tapit Shoes 20-1
2: Tapit Trice: 3-1
3: Arcangelo: 8-1
4: National Treasure: 5-1
5: Il Miracolo: 30-1
6: Forte: 5-2
7: Hit Show: 10-1
8: Angel of Empire: 7-2
9: Red Route One: 15-1
Kingsbarns: SCR
I’ve been intrigued by a number of these entries, and I think it’ll be a very competitive race with the depth of the field and may be the best Triple Crown race this year. Here is my trifecta. (Feel free to criticize, debate and rip apart my opinions. Not responsible for lost money, divorces, or drunken depressions. Noob outsider here! Take my picks with caution!!)
- 1st: Arcangelo 10-1
- Trainer: Jena M. Antonucci
- Jockey: Javier Castellano
- Peter Pan Stakes G3 winner at Belmont, 2nd in maiden race
This may seem like an interesting pick but let me argue my point. While Arcangelo has proven to not be the best horse out of the gate he really seems to pick up speed towards the end, which I think will prove to help him at Belmont Park. While he’s consistently last or second to last out of the gate he always proves to be in the mix at the end. He came from the back to get a nose victory in the Peter Pan Stakes on May 13th. He also brings a highly experienced jockey in Javier Castellano. If not marred back in traffic this further proves the case this Antonucci trained colt could accomplish what Tonalist accomplished in 2014, winning the Peter Pan Stakes and Belmont Stakes in the same year. (PTSD to us California Chrome fans, ugh.)
- 2nd: Tapit Trice 7-2
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- Jockey: Luis Saez
- 7th in Kentucky Derby, 1st in Toyota Blue Grass Stakes
Man, I love this horse but he has let me down over the last month. I picked him in my trifecta to win the Derby but got marred in mid pack for most of the race, leading to my lost dignity which I’ll explain later. He had an awesome start to his career with victories at Aqueduct, Gulfstream and Tampa and had a solid recent workout at Belmont Park. He has demonstrated a knack for getting to the front from the back and saving energy for the stretch, which I hope could lead to a good finish for the grey colt from Whisper Hill Farm.
- 3rd: Angel of Empire 4-1
- Trainer: Brad H. Cox
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- 3rd in Kentucky Derby, Arkansas Derby winner, 2nd in Smarty Jones Stakes,
- Victory in maiden race
After a crazy final stretch run in the Derby, this horse has impressed me, and may have led me to lose a side bet with a friend which may have resulted in me having to drink from my shoe (Went with Tapit Trice). In all seriousness, while his breaks from the gate are not great, what matters is his ability to be there at the end as a closer. With victories in the Arkansas Derby and solid runs at Horseshoe Indianapolis, he has a big shot to win the Belmont. I don’t believe it’ll be enough for victory, though.
4th, 5th and 6th:
Red Route One, National Treasure, Forte
Red Route One, an Asmussen trained colt could be a potential value pick on race day with several solid past results. Forte could have the advantage with extended rest, but I believe the extended amount of time off could hurt him slightly. His workouts have been promising the past week. I’m skeptical of National Treasure being able to pull off a dominant performance as he did in the Preakness, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Baffert trained colt will be in the mix for the win. Keep your eyes on Hit Show as well, as he is another potential value pick in my mind.
Thanks for reading and hope you’ve enjoyed my picks! Best of luck in your bets and let’s hope for a great and safe race June 10th! Feel free to politely debate my picks!
