Experts like Mo Donegal, Creative Minister
The Belmont Stakes is called the “Test of Champions” for a reason.
The third jewel of the Triple Crown is run at Belmont Park at the end of what has been a busy start to the 3-year-old season for many. And the grueling 1 1⁄2-mile distance is the longest any of the entrants has ever run and likely will ever run.
That’s why there’s always an air of uncertainty surrounding the race, and this year is no exception.
While there’s no Triple Crown at stake, Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, who skipped the Preakness Stakes, returns to the track, part an intriguing field of eight expected to go postward Saturday.
Here are selections from our USA TODAY Network/Atlantic Region staff, including experts who have been top finishers at the NTRA/National Horseplayers Championship and Horseplayers World Series.
Bob Jordan Asbury Park Press sports editor
6. Mo Donegal was the pick in this space in the Kentucky Derby and didn’t fire but was flattered by the Preakness win by Early Voting, a horse left behind by Mo Donegal’s rally in the Wood Memorial. 5. Creative Minister only has four starts but is moving in the right direction. 4. Rich Strike benefits from his freshening but jockey Sonny Leon has never ridden at Belmont and the Belmont Stakes has certainly proved to be a “rider’s race.” 1. We the People on paper is lone speed but it would be surprising if he’s actually unattended.
Stephen Edelson, Gannett New Jersey sports columnist
6. Mo Donegal ran the best race of
anyone in the Kentucky Derby, getting off to a bad start out of the No. 1 post, battling wide the entire way around before digging in down the stretch to finish fifth. He’ll have to be closer to the pace here but is always running hard at the wire.
1. We the People was dominant in the Peter Pan, credited with a 103 Beyer Speed Figure. He’ll be on the lead, and with an impressive win on this track he’s going to be there at the finish.
4. Rich Strike got a perfect trip for a closer, picking up the pieces after a suicidal speed dual on the front end in the Kentucky Derby. He won’t be the winner but could hit the board.
Steven Falk, Asbury Park Press staff writer
What a weird race!
Only three horses who ran in the Kentucky Derby are running here and only two horses who ran in the Preakness are running here. No horse will have run in all three legs of the Triple Crown.
More confusion comes from these two factors:
● Peter Pan winner We The People is the lone speed and could be as loose as rider Flavien Prat wants him to be. There is also the potential for a sloppy track due to potential rains.
● Do not fall into the theory that closers will benefit by the 1 1⁄2-mile distance. This race is won more by those who either set the pace or sit close to it.
The plan will be to try and beat Rich Strike. He has to show the Kentucky Derby was not an aberration at way lower odds than the 80-1 he was in the Derby.
5. Creative Minister: He did not make his debut until March, but he has made a forward move in each of his four starts, capped by a solid third with a 100 Beyer Speed Figure in the Preakness. With rain in the forecast, he has a win over a sloppy track. He also has enough tactical speed to get first run on pacesetter We The People.
6. Mo Donegal: He will have to be a lot closer to the pace than he was in the Kentucky Derby, when he wound up wide after a slow start from the dreaded rail position. But it is Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher in the Belmont – the Triple Crown race where he has fared by far the best.
1. We The People: His Peter Pan win, where he had a 103 Beyer Speed Figure – the co-second highest by a 3-year old this year – might have been aided by a wet track and an aggressive ride by Prat. The same scenarios could be in play here and he could face no pressure on the lead.
2. Skippylongstocking: The colongest shot on the morning line has major breeding for an off racetrack because he is a son of Exaggerator and a grandson of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin. Exaggerator won the Preakness, Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park and the Santa Anita Derby in 2016 on sloppy tracks. Curlin won the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Monmouth Park on a sloppy track.
Greg Giombarrese Director of communications for the Jersey Shore BlueClaws
5. Creative Minister: He has improved with each and every start and ran pretty well for third in the Preakness behind two good horses, either of who would be favored here. He impressively ran down a loose leader in the Derby Day allowance two back and has enough tactical speed to stay close. Should be a solid price.
1. We the People: He destroyed the Peter Pan last time and projects to get a cozy trip setting a moderate pace here. The only question is how short of a price do you want to take on a horse whose best race by a good bit came on a wet track?
6. Mo Donegal: He should love the distance but will probably be over bet after only offering a mild run in the Derby behind a super-fast pace. His lateclosing running style usually does not do well in this race, which should once again this year feature a moderate pace.
3. Nest: Nest is a filly taking a shot against the boys and will have to improve a bit but she’s bred to get the distance and should be positioned up close to the pace. Broke her maiden by 5 lengths over this track last fall.