BELMONT STAKES FIELD
Coverage of the Belmont Stakes begins Saturday from 3-5 p.m. EDT on CNBC before moving to NBC from 5-7 p.m. Post time is set for approximately 6:49. Here are the eight entrants, with post positions and morning line odds:
1. We the People 2-1
Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset. Jockey: Flavien Prat.
Turned in a sizzling performance in the Grade 3 Peter Pan at Belmont on May 14, winning by 10 1⁄4 lengths, with a Beyer Speed Figure of 103, best of any contender and second fastest among 3-year-olds this year. It also came on a sloppy track, with rain a possibility in the Saturday forecast. That performance came after disappointing seventh in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.
2. Skippylongstocking 20-1
Trainer: Saffie Joseph.
Jockey: Junior Alvarado. Battled wide the entire trip in the Preakness before finishing fifth. Placed third in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, beaten 3 3⁄4 lengths by Mo Donegal. A son of Exagerator, who won the Preakness and Haskell in the slop.
3. Nest 8-1
Trainer: Todd Pletcher.
Jockey: Jose Ortiz.
This late-charging filly rallied for second behind Secret Oath in the Kentucky Oaks. That came after a dominating Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland, drawing off to win by 8 1⁄4 lengths. Has never missed the board in six career starts. A daughter of Curling, who finished second in the 2007 Belmont, and won two Grade 1 races at Belmont.
4. Rich Strike 7-2
Trainer: Eric Reed.
Jockey: Sonny Leon.
Pulled off one of the biggest upsets in racing history by winning the Kentucky Derby at better than 80-1 odds. A colt that was claimed for $30,000 last September at Churchill Downs, breaking its maiden by 17 1⁄4 lengths, rallied from far back to nail Epicenter with a dramatic move along the inside. Closed for third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park two starts back. Should benefit from the added distance.
5. Creative Minister 6-1
Trainer: Ken McPeek.
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Ran third in the Preakness, beaten 3 1⁄2 lengths by Early Voting, tabbed with a 100 Beyer Speed Figure at 10-1. That came after an allowance win at Churchill Down on Derby Day for the closer.
6. Mo Donegal 5-2
Trainer: Todd Pletcher.
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Had a terrible trip in the Kentucky Derby, battling wide the entire race before digging in late to grab fifth. Had never been off the board in five previous starts, including a win over Preakness winner Early Voting in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, and a win over Zandon, third in the Derby, in the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct.
7. Golden Glider 20-1
Trainer: Mark Casse.
Jockey: Dylan Davis.
Secured a spot in the starting gate with a second-place finish in the Grade 3 Peter Pan at Belmont on May 14, although that was 10 1⁄4 lengths behind We the People. Ran fourth in the Grade 2 Blue Grass at Keeneland two starts back after pressing the pace. Golden Glider’s sire, Ghostzapper, was 5-for-5 at Belmont Park.
8. Barber Road 10-1
Trainer: John Ortiz.
Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez. Finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby at 60-1, beaten less than 5 lengths by Rich Strike, one of a host of closers who benefited from a torrid early pace. Ran second behind Cyberknife in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby and ran a close third, a nose behind Ethereal Road, in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn.