There is no Triple Crown at stake on Saturday, but the $1 million Belmont Stakes (G1) still has the potential of being an exciting race for fans and horseplayers, and there are plenty of storylines to keep us talking before and after the race.
Kentucky Derby winner Orb and Preakness Stakes winner Oxbow will square off, with Orb the 3-1 morning line favorite while Oxbow is third choice at 5-1.
A field of 14 will line up including seven runners that competed in the Kentucky Derby and bypassed the Preakness, most notably the runner up Golden Soul and third place finisher Revolutionary.
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Here are a few storylines for the race:
Derby vs. Preakness Winner: Since 1988 the Derby and Preakness winners have squared off in the Belmont Stakes seven times. In five of those races the Preakness winner won the race, while none of the Derby winners prevailed. Ruler On ice (2011) and Colonial Affair (1993) are the only two that defeated both the Derby and Preakness winners and taking the third jewel.
Things Looking Rosie for the Ladies: Jockey Rosie Napravnik is the top jock among the ladies and will be riding the filly Unlimited Budget. The only female jockey to boot home a winner in the Belmont Stakes is Julie Krone, taking the 1993 running aboard Colonial Affair. Only three fillies have won the Belmont: Rags to Riches (2007), Tanya (1905) and Ruthless (1867).
The Coach Goes for 15: Trainer D. Wayne Lukas won his 14th Triple Crown race with Oxbow, setting the all-time record, passing "Sunny Jim" Fitzsimmons who had 13. In addition to Preakness winner Oxbow he will send out Will Take Charge on Saturday as he goes for no. 15.
Pletcher Will Be Busiest Guy in Paddock: Trainer Todd Pletcher, who was blanked with five Kentucky Derby starters and bypassed the Preakness will return to saddle five Belmont contenders on Saturday, an all-time record. His best two chances appear to be with Derby third place finisher Revolutionary and the filly Unlimited Budget.
Two Biggest Changes Involve Pletcher Runners: Pletcher is taking the blinkers off Palace Malice, who set really strong fractions in the Derby only to fade badly. Sans the blinkers expect to see a better effort. Note than Javier Castellano is reunited with Revolutionary. Calvin Borel rode the colt last out in the Derby, but it was Castellano that rode him to victories in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Withers (G3). Castellano is off the talented filly Unlimited Budget.
Mother Nature to Play Role: There is a 60% chance of rain on Saturday, and rain in the forecast for Friday, so there is a chance we are going to see another wet track. That would be good news for Orb, but while Oxbow did not fire his best in the slop in the Kentucky Derby, he is bred top and bottom to handle a wet track. Don’t be quick to toss the Preakness winner of the track comes up wet.
2013 Belmont Stakes Post Positions, Betting Odds
| Post | Horse | ML | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | Frac Daddy | 30-1 | Alan Garcia | Ken McPeek |
| 2 | Freedom Child | 8-1 | Luis Saez | Tom Albertrani |
| 3 | Overanalyze | 12-1 | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher |
| 4 | Giant Finish | 30-1 | Edgar Prado | Tony Dutrow |
| 5 | Orb | 3-1 | Joel Rosario | Shug McGaughey |
| 6 | Incognito | 20-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Kiaran McLaughlin |
| 7 | Oxbow | 5-1 | Gary Stevens | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 8 | Midnight Taboo | 30-1 | Garrettt Gomez | Todd Pletcher |
| 9 | Revolutionary | 9-2 | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher |
| 10 | Will Take Charge | 20-1 | Jon Court | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 11 | Vyjack | 20-1 | Julien Leparoux | Rudy Rodriguez |
| 12 | Palace Malice | 15-1 | Mike Smith | Todd Pletcher |
| 13 | Unlimited Budget | 8-1 | Rosie Napravnik | Todd Pletcher |
| 14 | Golden Soul | 10-1 | Robby Albarado | Dallas Stewart |
Michael Dempsey’s Belmont Stakes Day Report
Michael’s Report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations for the entire Belmont Stakes Day card. The third jewel of the Triple Crown features an outstanding day of horse betting. The supporting stakes include the $500,000 Manhattan Handicap (G1), $500,000 Longines Just a Game (G1), $400,000 True North Handicap (G2) and the $400,000 Woody Stephens (G2). Michael's Report will be available on Friday June 7.