BELMONT STAKES
While there won’t be a horse racing Triple Crown on the line Saturday at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, there mere fact the Belmont Stakes is back in its traditional spot as the final jewel is a much-needed sign of a return to normalcy. Medina Spirit will not run, with trainer Bob Baffert temporarily banned by the New York Racing Association after the Kentucky Derby winner failed a postrace drug test at Churchill Downs. Rombauer will look to add a second Classic to a growing resume three weeks after winning the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
TV: 3-5 ET (NBCSN) and 5-7 (NBC). Post time is set for approximately 6:49.
The field with post positions and morning line odds:
1. Bourbonic 15-1
Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche. Scored biggest win of career in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, before running 13th in Kentucky Derby. Sire Bernardini ran a 117 Beyer Speed Figure at Belmont in winning 2006 Jockey Club Gold Cup.
2. Essential Quality 2-1
Trainer: Brad Cox. Jockey: Luis Saez.
Class of field with $2.4 million in earnings, winning five of six career starts. Winner of 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile ran solid fourth in Kentucky Derby. Son of Tapit, sire of 2014 Belmont winner Tapwrit.
3. Rombauer 3-1
Trainer: Mike McCarthy. Jockey: John Velasquez. Posted 102 Beyer Speed Figure, tops in field, in winning Preakness, chasing down Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit and Midnight Bourbon to win by 3 1⁄2 lengths. Earned 102 Beyer.
4. Hot Rod Charlie 7-2
Trainer: Doug O’Neill. Jockey: Flavien Prat.
Ran game third, beaten just over a length, in Kentucky Derby, before skipping Preakness. Second to Essential Quality at 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, won Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 20 at Fair Grounds.
5. France Go de Ina 30-1
Trainer: Hideyuki Mori. Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. Ran seventh in Preakness in U.S. debut, after racing in Japan and Dubai. Opened career with three straight wins in Japan before finishing seventh in UAE Derby.
6. Known Agenda 6-1
Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Ran ninth in Kentucky Derby. Scored biggest career win in Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream March 27, coming from just off pace to win impressively. Son of Curlin, who sired 2013 Belmont winner Palace Malice.
7. Rock Your World 9-2
Trainer: John Sadler. Jockey: Joel Rosario. Finished 17th in Kentucky Derby after winning three straight to open career, including victory over Derby winner Medina Spirit in Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. Son of Constitution, sire of 2020 Belmont winner Tiz the Law.
8. Overtook 20-1
Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Jockey: Manny Franco. A closing second in Grade 3 Withers at Aqueduct, before running third in Grade 3 Peter Pan at Belmont on May 8. A son of Curlin, second in 2007 Belmont behind Rags to Riches.