NBC Sports will provide comprehensive coverage of the 154th Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, the 1 ½-mile “Test of the Champion” on Saturday at New York’s Belmont Park.

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The action begins on CNBC from 3-5 p.m. ET and continues on NBC from 5-7 p.m. ET.

Retired Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, a two-time winner of the Belmont with Hansel in 1991 and with Empire Maker in 2003, is a prominent member of the network’s team.

Bailey wrote his critically-acclaimed autobiography “Against The Odds: Riding for My Life,” with Tom Pedulla in 2005. They combined again on behalf of America’s Best Racing for a wide-ranging question-and-answer session about the Belmont.

PEDULLA: Do you understand why the connections of longshot Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike decided against taking aim at a Triple Crown and skipped the Preakness?

BAILEY: I do. Based on the way he [trainer Eric Reed] said it, it was the best thing for the horse. I understand it, I applaud it because he’s doing what’s best for his horse.

PEDULLA: Does this suggest that the Triple Crown format – three races in five weeks – needs to be changed?

Rich Strike after Kentucky Derby win. (Eclipse Sportswire)

BAILEY: I think it is not only this instance that suggests it, but we’ve been seeing it for the last 10 or 15 years. I don’t know if there is anybody in the last 15 years who has run more horses in the Kentucky Derby than Todd Pletcher. And if he doesn’t win the Derby, he never runs back in the Preakness. He waits. And he’s not the only one. The way horses have been training in the last 15 or 20 years, the trainers want more and more time between races. Sitting next to Randy Moss for the last 15 years and hearing all the arguments, I kind of agree that it might make it tougher to win the Triple Crown because you’ll have more horses running in the Preakness.

PEDULLA: You’re messing with an awful lot of history there.

BAILEY: I’m a traditionalist but you ask Randy Moss. In the 50s, it wasn’t two and three weeks between races. It was different spacing. It was more spacing. It’s been changed a lot over the years. It hasn’t always been like this.

PEDULLA: I am aware of that.

BAILEY: It’s tradition, but it’s not sacrosanct. It’s not like it’s never happened before because it has.

PEDULLA: To change the conversation to the prospects of certain Belmont starters, can Nest become the fourth filly to win the marathon?

BAILEY: She would have to run faster than she has been running, I will say that. It is a Belmont that is not overflowing with exceptional talent. At least it hasn’t been proven to this point. There are no American Pharoah’s in here. It’s a winnable race, but she would certainly have to run a lifetime best by far.

PEDULLA: In finishing third in the Preakness, Creative Minister showed why they were willing to pay $150,000 to supplement him. What do you think of his Belmont chances?

BAILEY: He’s an interesting horse. I think he’s an up-and-comer. I was impressed by his allowance win on Kentucky Derby day and the Preakness was a good race. I don’t think he could have run much better than that because he was ridden well and he ran well. It’s a big improvement over his previous race in terms of overall performance. If he has another jump forward in him, there is no reason he couldn’t be right there.

PEDULLA: Does Peter Pan Stakes winner We the People look like a horse that is just putting it together?

Peter Pan Stakes winner We the People (Eclipse Sportswire)

BAILEY: Yes, he does. He’s run faster than any horse in the race. You know he likes Belmont. He’ll control the pace and we know the Belmont is not a closer’s race necessarily, even though it is a mile and a half.

PEDULLA: Do you view Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike as a one-race wonder?

BAILEY: I think it was a perfect scenario for him, an absolutely toxic pace up front, a brilliant trip, a very good ride and all things came together for him. He was well-prepared, he was well ridden, and the pace of the race made it set up for a closer. But, as we just mentioned, the Belmont is not that kind of race. His job gets more difficult, I believe.

PEDULLA: Do you look for a big performance from him?

BAILEY: I think he’ll run really well, I really do. But he’s not going to get that pace to run into and that extra quarter of a mile takes the starch out of a lot of finishers.

PEDULLA: Who do you view as a live longshot?

BAILEY: Skippylongstocking would be a good longshot.

PEDULLA: Why do you say that?

BAILEY: Because of his style. He’s just a good, steady closer.

PEDULLA: Which horses comprise your top four?

BAILEY: Mo Donegal, We the People, Creative Minister, and Nest.