We’ve reached Belmont Week — only two weeks late, though it feels much later as the Triple Crown schedule has been overhauled. The 152nd Belmont Stakes is now first up on the calendar and has been shortened from 1 ¹/₂ miles to 1 ¹/₈ miles, and there will be no fans. Here’s a look at the probable field, with odds from horseracingnation.com:
Tiz The Law
Trainer: Barclay Tagg
Jockey: Manuel Franco
Last Race: 1st, Florida Derby
Odds: 1-1
Breakdown: Franco on Sunday after his final work: “I think we have the best horse in the race.” Sure do. Legit favorite’s the one to beat after winning the Grade 1 Florida Derby by 4+, earning triple digit fig. Won the Grade 1 Champagne here in his 2-year-old campaign.
Sole Volante
Trainer: Patrick Biancone
Jockey: Luca Panici
Last Race: 1st, allowance
Odds: 9-2
Runner-up in the Tampa Bay Derby before defeating a strong field, including stakes winner Ete Indien on June 10. Can he win the Belmont off the quick turnaround? “Flying Sun” will be flying late.
Tap It To Win
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: John Velazquez
Last Race: 1st, allowance
Odds: 8-1
D. Wayne Lukas won three straight Belmonts from 1994-96. No handler has gone back-to-back since. Casse conditioned Sir Winston last year and sends this colt out off an easy 1 1/16-mile score over the Belmont oval only two weeks ago.
Pneumatic
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Ricardo Santana
Last Race: 3rd, Matt Winn
Odds: 8-1
Still a maiden after two starts, Asmussen gave him the green light for the Belmont after pointing Basin to the Blue Grass. Another front runner who may benefit from the shorter distance.
Dr. Post
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Last Race: 1st, Unbridled Stakes
Odds: 10-1
Stretched out and relished the extra ground. Todd Pletcher on the Dr.: “I was impressed. He was able to get going at 7/8, and get up in time, stretching to 1 1/16 miles. 1 ¹/₈ miles should suit him well.”
Max Player
Trainer: Linda Rice
Jockey: TBD
Last Race: 1st, Withers
Odds: 15-1
His road to the Derby via New York started with a win in the Withers at this distance (two turns) at Aqueduct. But the Wood Memorial was canceled, the Derby pushed back. Rice: “He hasn’t run in five months. I spaced his works out every two weeks since the pandemic.”
Modernist
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: TBD
Last Race: 3rd, Louisiana Derby
Odds: 15-1
Has speed and the “Test of the Champion” has been reduced to 11 furlongs and one turn. Broke from the outside at Arkansas and lost ground into the clubhouse turn. Mott still undecided on whether to enter him on Wednesday.
Farmington Road
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Last Race: 4th, Arkansas Derby
Odds: 20-1
Has one win from six starts after moving belatedly in the Risen Star, Oaklawn Stakes and the Arkansas Derby. Stretch-running longshot needs it fast up front and will have to hang a bit closer making one turn.
Jungle Runner
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez
Last Race: 8th, Arkansas Derby
Odds: 30-1
Runs for top connections (Calumet Farms/Asmussen) but has been off the board all three starts this year after winning twice from five starts as a juvenile. May be the longest shot on the board.