True, there won’t be a horse vying for one of the most coveted accolades in the entire sporting universe–the Triple Crown–but that’s no reason to let the Belmont Stakes go unwatched. The third leg’s start time is scheduled for 6:20pm ET on Saturday, June 8 in aptly named Elmont, NY, while the post positions could give edges past-winning ponies for the $1 million purse. With Tropical Storm Andrea galloping its way towards the Northeast, this run on its 1.5 mile long dirt track Belmont could be trudge through the mud much like the Kentucky Derby was.
The big story with the Stakes comes down to the winners of the Triple Crown legs preceding Belmont, Orb at the Kentucky Derby and Oxbow at the Preakness Stakes. The two colts will square off again in an attempt to best the other for the second time out of three. At the Derby, Oxbow failed to place coming in at 5th overall. Similarly, at the Preakness Orb finished fourth overall being handily beaten by Oxbow. The two rivals will face off again in conditions reminiscent of this year’s Derby, but perhaps the post positions and odds will also play into how the two finish in the field of 14 (1 filly).
Belmont Stakes post positions, odds, and jockeys:
1. Frac Daddy (30-1): Alan Garcia
2. Freedom Child (8-1): Luis Saez
3. Overanalyze (12-1): John R. Velazquez
4. Giant Finish (30-1): Edgar Prado
5. Orb (3-1): Joel Rosario
6. Incognito (20-1): Irad Ortiz Jr.
7. Oxbow (5-1): Gary L. Stevens
8. Midnight Taboo (30-1): Garrett K. Gomez
9. Revolutionary (9-2): Javier Castellano
10. Will Take Charge (20-1): Jon Court
11. Vyjack (20-1): Julien Leparoux
12. Palace Malice (15-1): Mike E. Smith
13. Unlimited Budget (8-1): Rosie Napravnik
14. Golden Soul (10-1): Robby Albarado
Orb and Oxbow appear to have the best shot at taking home the Run for the Carnations with, respectively, the 5th position at 3-1 odds and the 7th position at 5-1 odds. Middle of the pack post positions like this can be a blessing and a curse. If they can get a step ahead, they won’t have the problem of being boxed into the rail though they have a longer course to run.
Vyjack (20-1), Will Take Charge (20-1), Revolutionary (9-2), and Overanalyze (12-1) are all Derby and Preakness vets this year and all formidable opponents. Jockey Rosie Napravnik competed in the Derby and Preakness as well, riding Mylute with little success, and will look to take Unlimited Budget (8-1) in the 13th position across the finish line first. She’s already become the first woman jockey who will race in all three triple crown legs, and will try to become the first woman to win at Belmont as she did at the Derby and Preakness.
Time to play amateur bookie, open up the floor, and hear some predictions. Who’s going to take it home at Belmont on Saturday? Will the potential muddy track bode well for Derby winner Orb? Will an underdog get the better of the veteran ponies?
