Expert Picks: Who Will Win the Belmont Stakes?

National Treasure, coming off a victory in the Preakness Stakes on May 20, will attempt to add one other leg of the Triple Crown to his résumé with a win in the one hundred and fifty fifth Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

The Kentucky Derby winner, Mage, is not going to stand in his approach; he’s skipping the Belmont after ending third in the Preakness. But Forte, the Derby favourite who was scratched the morning of the race with a foot bruise, is again and thought of a robust contender.

The Belmont horses are listed so as of put up place, with feedback by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. The morning-line odds had been set by David Aragona of the New York Racing Association.

Purse: $1.5 million assured Distance: 1½ miles

Track document: 2:24 (Secretariat, 1973)

Weight: 126 kilos

Post time: 7:02 p.m. Eastern on Saturday

How to observe: Coverage begins on Fox at 3 p.m. Eastern.

Our Picks

Joe Drape’s win-place-show picks: Arcangelo, Tapit Shoes, Angel of Empire

Melissa Hoppert’s picks: Tapit Trice, Forte, Arcangelo

Here’s how we see the discipline:

1. Tapit Shoes

Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Jose Ortiz Odds: 20-1

Drape: This lengthy shot could management the pace from the rail. He’s bred for this marathon and rounding into kind. Dangerous runner.

Hoppert: His sire, Tapit, has produced 4 Belmont winners. But this colt, who has received as soon as in 5 begins, is not going to add to that haul.

2. Tapit Trice

Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Luis Saez Odds: 3-1

Drape: This race calls for a excessive cruising pace. This colt is a better who has hassle out of the gate. Short odds, no thanks.

Hoppert: This proficient grey son of Tapit bought caught in site visitors in the Derby and completed seventh. He has been coaching properly since, and with extra room to run, search for his closing kick to be on full show. My decide.

3. Arcangelo

Trainer: Jena Antonucci Jockey: Javier Castellano Odds: 8-1

Drape: This grey colt has a win on the racetrack. He just isn’t chewed up by the Triple Crown grind. My decide.

Hoppert: He’s quickly bettering and has already received on this observe. Plus, his pedigree suggests he can go a mile and a half.

4. National Treasure

Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: John Velazquez Odds: 5-1

Drape: Nice Preakness win for this colt. This time round, nonetheless, he might be pushed early by a few others and won’t get a straightforward lead.

Hoppert: He held on to win a sluggish Preakness by a nostril, however the added distance will give him hassle.

5. Il Miracolo

Trainer: Antonio Sano Jockey: Marcos Meneses Odds: 30-1

Drape: He had two robust exercises at his dwelling base Gulfstream Park in Florida. He desires the lead, however I don’t assume he can outrun his odds.

Hoppert: He went gate-to-wire in a one-mile non-compulsory claiming race at Gulfstream final trip, however he was no higher than fifth in his Derby preps. Pass.

6. Forte

Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Odds: 5-2

Drape: He has not raced in two months. Before the Derby scratch, he was the “wow” horse. In the Belmont, he might be the “not now” horse.

Hoppert: He received 5 straight to earn Derby favourite honors earlier than being scratched the morning of the race with a hoof harm. He’s nonetheless the better of the bunch, however can he win this grueling of a race after such a protracted layoff?

7. Hit Show

Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Manny Franco Odds: 10-1

Drape: Honest colt who has competed at 4 totally different tracks. If he likes Belmont, he has a shot.

Hoppert: He’s a hard-trying colt who ran higher than his fifth-place Derby end suggests. But he would want a career-best efficiency to tug off an upset right here.

8. Angel of Empire

Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Flavien Prat Odds: 7-2

Drape: He closed properly in the Derby and suits with the Frenchman Prat. If he nonetheless has gasoline in the tank, he’s a contender.

Hoppert: The third-place Derby finisher will add blinkers in the Belmont, a marathon through which he ought to thrive so long as Prat retains him near the leaders.