The $1 million Belmont Stakes (G1) will be run on Saturday, June 8 at Belmont Park and while there will be no Triple Crown in the balance, the field is shaping up to be a deep and competitive group that likely will include the winners of the first two jewels of the Triple Crown.
Kentucky Derby winner Orb is still likely, while Preakness winner Oxbow has been confirmed for the third jewel of racing’s Triple Crown.
The duo is not scaring anyone away, as there are as many as 15 runners being pointed toward the race including as many as six from the Todd Pletcher barn.
Pletcher sent out five runners in the Kentucky Derby and was blanked, the best finish a third by Revolutionary. The trainer did not saddle any runners in the Preakness.
Pletcher will bring back Revolutionary for the Belmont, as well as Overanalyze and Palace Malice, who competed in the Derby but passed on the Preakness.
His most intriguing runner is the filly Unlimited Budget, who won her four career starts and then checked in third in the Kentucky Oaks in her last outing.
Pletcher's lone win in the Belmont was with the filly Rags to Riches, who won the 2007 running of the race.
Other Pletcher runners that are possible for the race are Micromanage and Midnight Taboo,
At this point it looks as if Orb and Oxbow will likely vie for favoritism in the betting, although Revolutionary figures to take some action as well. Revolutionary went off at 6.4-1 in the Derby, which was the second betting choice behind Orb (5.40-1).
Freedom Child is the main newcomer, coming into the race off a 13 ¼ length score in the Peter Pan and will garner some attention at the betting windows.
Probable field for the 2013 Belmont Stakes
| Horse | Odds* | Trainer | Jockey | Last Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always in a Tiz | 30-1 | Dominick Schettino | David Cohen | Wood Memorial, 9th |
| Code West | 15-1 | Bob Baffert | Rosie Napravnik | Pimlico alw, 1st |
| Freedom Child | 10-1 | Tom Albertrani | Luis Saez | Peter Pan, 1st |
| Giant Finish | 30-1 | Tony Dutrow | undecided | Kentucky Derby, 10th |
| Golden Soul | 10-1 | Dallas Stewart | Robby Albarado | Kentucky Derby, 2nd |
| Incognito | 30-1 | Kiaran McLaughlin | undecided | Peter Pan, 5th |
| Micromanage | 30-1 | Todd Pletcher | undecided | Monmouth alw, 1st |
| Midnight Taboo | 30-1 | Todd Pletcher | undecided | Belmont alw, 2nd |
| Orb | 7-2 | Shug McGaughey | Joel Rosario | Preakness, 4th |
| Overanalyze | 10-1 | Todd Pletcher | undecided | Kentucky Derby, 11th |
| Oxbow | 4-1 | D. Wayne Lukas | Gary Stevens | Preakness, 1st |
| Palace Malice | 15-1 | Todd Pletcher | Mike Smith | Kentucky Derby, 12th |
| Revolutionary | 5-1 | Todd Pletcher | Javier Castellano | Kentucky Derby, 3rd |
| Unlimited Budget | 15-1 | Todd Pletcher | undecided | Kentucky Oaks, 3rd |
| Will Take Charge | 20-1 | D. Wayne Lukas | Jon Court | Preakness, 7th |
*Early odds provided by Michael Dempsey of turfnsport.com
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 Thursday June 6.