IT’S IN THE LAW’S HANDS
Favorite looks to take advantage of shorter Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes will mark the return to the national spotlight for horse racing Saturday, some 11 weeks after the Kentucky Derby had been scheduled to kick off the Triple Crown on May 2.
The Kentucky Derby now will run Sept. 5, with the Preakness closing out the elongated version of the Triple Crown on Oct. 3 because of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Belmont Stakes, traditionally the final jewel of the Triple Crown, will be run as the first leg and at a shorter distance: 1⅛ miles, down from 1½.
Tiz the Law was installed as the 6-5 morning-line favorite at the post-position draw Wednesday. Here’s a look at the 10 horses that will go postward from Belmont Park in Elmont, New York:
1. TAP IT TO WIN: 6-1 odds
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: John Velazquez While this son of Tapit has never won outside the allowance ranks, it was his performance in a dominating win at Belmont Park on June 4 that punched his ticket, producing a Beyer Speed Figure of 97, the second-highest number of any horse in the field.
2. SOLE VOLANTE: 9-2
Trainer: Patrick Biancone Jockey: Luca Panici Winner of the Grade III Sam F. Davis at Tampa on Feb. 20, this son of Karakontie is a true closer. He nearly rallied from last in the
Grade II Tampa Bay Derby on March 20, finishing second, and will benefit greatly from a quick pace on the front end.
3. MAX PLAYER: 15-1
Trainer: Linda Rice
Jockey: Joel Rosario Winner of two straight, including an impressive victory from off the pace in the Grade III Withers at Aqueduct on Feb. 1 in his last start, the jockey switch to Rosario is important. Sir Winston won last year’s Belmont mainly because Rosario gave him a great, groundsaving ride.
4. MODERNIST: 15-1
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
In his two career wins, a Maiden race at Aqueduct on Jan. 25 and the Grade II Risen Star at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 15, this son of Uncle Mo was on the lead or challenging the pacesetter throughout. In the Grade II Louisiana Derby in his last start March 21, he was unable to rally from off the pace.
5. FARMINGTON ROAD: 15-1
Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Javier Castellano
A long shot who has never won beyond the maiden ranks, this son of Quality Road will be coming from far off the pace. In the best performance of his career, he rallied from last to finish second, beaten by a half-length, in the $200,000 Oaklawn Stakes on April 11. He rallied to finish fourth in the Grade I Arkansas Derby on May 2 in his last start.
6. FORE LEFT: 30-1
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Jockey: Jose Ortiz Rerouted from the Woody Stephens Stakes to the Belmont Stakes on Tuesday by O’Neill, the winner of last year’s Tremont Stakes at Belmont is coming off a wire-to-wire victory in the Group III UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan Race Course in Dubai on Feb. 6.
7. JUNGLE RUNNER: 50-1
Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez Expected to be the longest shot in the race, this son of Candy Ride was beaten by 22½ lengths behind Charlatan at odds of 60-1 in the Arkansas Derby on May 2 at Oaklawn Park.
8. TIZ THE LAW: 6-5
Trainer: Barclay Tagg
Jockey: Manuel Franco With four wins in five career starts, this New York-bred son of Constitution is the only Grade I winner in the field. He likes to come from just off the pace, and his 100 Beyer Speed Figure in the Florida Derby on March 28 is the top number run by any Belmont entrant.
9. DR. POST: 5-1
Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
After breaking his maiden with a 96 Beyer Speed Figure on March 29 at Gulfstream Park, this Quality Road colt survived a rough trip to win the $75,000 Unbridled Stakes at Gulfstream in his last start April 25. He came from off the pace in both races and figures to like the Belmont distance.
10. PNEUMATIC: 8-1
Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Ricardo Santana, Jr. In the Grade III Matt Winn Stakes on May 23 at Churchill Downs, this son of Uncle Mo battled for the lead into the stretch before giving way, finishing third by 1¾ lengths. He won the first two races of his career, both at Oaklawn Park.