An inside look at how the 155th Belmont Stakes will play out:
1. Tapit Shoes (20-1)
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Trainer: Brad Cox
Current form: One win speaks volumes. However he was beaten by a head by Red Route One in a stake at Oaklawn after leading late last out.
Worth a wager: The longest shot of three running for trainer Brad Cox. May play the role of rabbit for Cox’s stretch runners. Engages National Treasure into the clubhouse turn but gives way. A tired eighth.
2. Tapit Trice (3-1)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Current form: Notoriously slow starter broke last of 18 in the Derby before running home a too-little, too-late seventh. Got up to win previous four starts including the Tampa Bay Derby and Bluegrass Stakes.
Worth a wager: Our Derby pick took the middle jewel off and should benefit from the longer, traffic-free Belmont. Clean trip. No excuses. Second best.
3. Arcangelo (8-1)
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Jena Antonucci
Current form: Prepped well. He’s won two in a row and got a win over the Belmont oval by taking the Peter Pan by a hard-fought head.
Worth a wager: Not many have successfully used the Peter Pan as a stepping stone to a Belmont win. Tonalist (2014) was the latest. Six of the nine entered do their best running late. Not the best choice. Sixth.
4. National Treasure (5-1)
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Current form: Took charge in a paceless Preakness, got away with tepid fractions and held on under energy-efficient rider John Velazquez for his first win since his debut W five starts back.
Worth a wager: Crawled through a half mile of :48.4 at Pimlico and fended off a thin field (other than Mage). Shakes off El Miracolo and Tapit Shoes but finishes third.
5. Il Miracolo (30-1)
Jockey: Marcos Meneses
Trainer: Antonio Sano
Current form: Wired an optional claiming field at Gulfstream. It was his second win from 10 starts, both earned at a mile. Well back of Forte in the Florida Derby.
Worth a wager: Finished up the track both times he attempted 1¹/₈ miles. Truly a Miracolo if he finishes in the top three. Last of nine.
6. Forte (5-2)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Current form: Made it six wins from seven starts when he stormed from out of the clouds to pass Mage and win the Florida Derby. And then … the Kentucky Derby morning line favorite was scratched with a “bruised foot.”
Worth a wager: Owner Mike Repole: “You can only be a 3-year-old on the first Saturday in May once.” Is he fresh or rusty after the long layoff? We are thinking he rumbles in the stretch. Winner.
7. Hit Show (10-1)
Jockey: Manuel Franco
Trainer: Brad Cox
Current form: Was a fast-closing second in the Wood Memorial then a flat fifth in the longer Run for the Roses.
Worth a wager: Looked like the Show would be a Hit getting more ground but after making a middle move, he flattened out. Not sure he wants 12 furlongs. Midpack. Fifth.
8. Angel of Empire (7-2)
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Brad Cox
Current form: Impressive winning the Arkansas Derby by 4+ lengths. Fans made him the favorite in the Kentucky Derby when Forte came out and he finished an energetic third behind Mage.
Worth a wager: The best of the Cox-trained trio will try to be the first Pennsylvania bred to win the Belmont since 1891. That race was run at Morris Park in The Bronx. Yeah, it’s been a while. Maybe next year. Fourth.
9. Red Route One (15-1)
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Current form: Was five lengths back of Angel of Empire in the Arkansas, beat Tapit Shoes at Oaklawn then fourth behind National Treasure in the Preakness.
Worth a wager: Closer couldn’t narrow the gap after the winner had his way on the front end. Steve Asmussen believes Red will relish the Route. We have him seventh.
