Japan’s Kentucky Derby Hopes Rely on Talented Horses, Experience
Top Belmont Stakes contenders (from left to right): Preakness Stakes winner National Treasure, Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Angel of Empire, and champion Forte. (Eclipse Sportswire)
Although there isn’t a Triple Crown on the line this year, anticipation is still high for the 155th Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets June 10 at Belmont Park.
Preakness Stakes winner National Treasure will square off against a tough field headlined by Forte, the champion 2-year-old colt of 2022 who was the morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve before he had to withdraw from the race due to a foot bruise that has since healed.
The 1 ½-mile Belmont Stakes is nicknamed the “Test of the Champion” for an appropriate reason: its marathon distance is something none of these 3-year-olds has ever attempted before and may never attempt again.
Thirteen horses have managed to follow wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness by taking the Belmont, thus etching their names in the sport’s lore as Triple Crown winners: Sir Barton (1919), Gallant Fox (1930), Omaha (1935), War Admiral (1937), Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), Citation (1948), Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), Affirmed (1978), American Pharoah (2015), and Justify (2018).
The $1.5 million, Grade 1 Belmont Stakes anchors a spectacular day of racing at “Big Sandy” that also features eight other graded stakes, including three “Win and You’re In” qualifying races for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Television coverage of the 155th Belmont moves to Fox Sports for 2023, and the race will be shown nationwide on FOX during a broadcast airing from 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m. ET. Post time is set for 7:02 p.m. Earlier races Saturday at Belmont will be shown on “America’s Day at the Races” airing on FS1 and FS2.
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Whether you are interested in making a couple of bucks on the race or just want to know a little bit about this year’s runners, we’ve got you covered with our 2023 Belmont Stakes Cheat Sheet.
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1. Tapit Shoes (20-1 morning-line odds)
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Trainer: Brad Cox
Career record: 5 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third
Career earnings: $82,878
Earnings per start: $16,576
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 102
Pedigree: Tapit – Awesome Flower, by Flower Alley
Color: Chestnut
Running style: Stalker
Notable achievements and interesting facts: Tapit Shoes was announced as a Belmont Stakes starter June 1. Based at Fair Grounds over the winter, he won his second career start there by 7 ½ lengths going 1 1/16 miles in December of last year and then ran fourth and third in a pair of allowance-optional claiming races before shipping to Oaklawn Park for his stakes debut in the 1 1/8-mile Bath House Row Stakes April 22. He nearly won that 1 1/8-mile race off of a stalking trip, outdueling pacesetter and stablemate Victory Formation in deep stretch but yielding to deep-closing Red Route One by a head at the finish. He’ll face that foe again in the Belmont plus several more accomplished horses, and as such should be one of the longest shots in the field come post time. On the positive side, his running style should have him close to what projects to be a modest pace, and his pedigree for handling a mile and a half is encouraging as well. This Tapit colt is a half-brother (same dam [mother], different sire [father]) to last year’s TVG.com Haskell Stakes winner and Runhappy Travers Stakes runner-up Cyberknife. Belmont Stakes history: Co-owner Spendthrift Farm has one prior Belmont starter with a third-place finish in 2014, and co-owner Martin Schwartz has sent two prior horses to the Belmont. Trainer Brad Cox has three starters in the race after winning the Belmont Stakes in his very first appearance with Essential Quality in 2021. Jockey Jose Ortiz won the 2017 Belmont Stakes aboard Tapwrit and has finished second in the race three times, including last year on Nest.
Bet Tapit Shoes in the Belmont Stakes
Adam Coglianese/NYRA
2. Tapit Trice (3-1)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owners: Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable
Career record: 6 starts – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third
Career earnings: $883,650
Earnings per start: $147,275
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 103
Pedigree: Tapit – Danzatrice, by Dunkirk
Color: Gray or roan
Running style: Stalker/closer
Notable achievements and interesting facts: For several months now, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has touted Tapit Trice as a horse who is tailor-made for the 1 ½-mile Belmont Stakes, and in just a few days we’ll see if that reputation is confirmed. The colt is by a sire in Tapit whose offspring have won four of the past nine editions of the Belmont, and he made his first career start at a mile rather than at a sprint distance back in November of last year. Pletcher has patiently developed Tapit Trice since then, and the colt managed to win two Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve prep races – the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby and the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes – despite showing signs of inexperience, in particular a lack of speed out of the gate. In the Kentucky Derby, Tapit Trice started slowly again and that proved costly as he was bumped by a tiring horse as he started to rally and was forced to race very wide in the stretch en route to a seventh-place finish. He should be fresh for the Belmont Stakes off of that effort and is a leading win candidate Saturday, but he’ll need to be more alert out of the gate and responsive to jockey Luis Saez’s handling in order to stay in closer touch of the leaders in the early stages. Belmont Stakes history: Co-owner Gainesway Stable campaigned 2021 Belmont runner-up Hot Rod Charlie in a partnership. The horse Hot Rod Charlie lost to, Essential Quality, was ridden by Luis Saez for his breakthrough Belmont win. With a win, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher can move into a tie with Woody Stephens for fourth-place in all-time Belmont Stakes wins with five. Pletcher’s four previous wins came with Rags to Riches (2007), Palace Malice (2013), Tapwrit (2017), and last year with Mo Donegal. Pletcher also trained 2022 runner-up Nest and has finished second in this race six other times.
Bet Tapit Trice in the Belmont Stakes
NYRA/Janet Garaguso
3. Arcangelo (8-1)
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Jena Antonucci
Owner: Blue Rose Farm
Career record: 4 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Career earnings: $167,400
Earnings per start: $41,850
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 97
Pedigree: Arrogate – Modeling, by Tapit
Color: Gray or roan
Running style: Stalker/Closer
Notable achievements and interesting facts: After running second and fourth in his first two races last winter at Gulfstream Park, this ridgling broke through in March with an eye-catching 3 ½-length win in a one-mile Gulfstream maiden race. Arcangelo then came back nearly two months later in a tough stakes assignment and aced that by winning the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan Stakes going one turn at Belmont Park. He rallied from off of the pace in the Peter Pan and won a stretch duel with favored Bishops Bay, edging that foe by a head. Arcangelo will now take another jump in class Saturday and he should carry double-digit odds at post time going up against the likes of Forte, National Treasure, Angel of Empire, and Tapit Trice. Pulling the upset against that bunch off of four weeks of rest is unlikely, but Arcangelo has a profile similar to this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve winner Mage in that he may be somewhat of a late developer and could be reaching peak form at just the right time. In addition, he’s got a good long-distance pedigree as a son of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Arrogate and from a female family that includes 2007 Belmont-winning filly Rags to Riches and 2006 Belmont victor Jazil. A definite horse to consider for exacta and trifecta tickets. Belmont Stakes history: This is the first Belmont appearance for owner Blue Rose Farm and trainer Jena Antonucci. Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano picked up his first career Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve win last month aboard Mage, and he’ll vie for his first Belmont victory June 10 after finishing second three times during the past 12 years.
Bet Arcangelo in the Belmont Stakes
Adam Coglianese/NYRA
4. National Treasure (5-1)
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Career record: 6 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 2 thirds
Career earnings: $1,335,000
Earnings per start: $222,500
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 102
Pedigree: Quality Road – Treasure, by Medaglia d’Oro
Color: Bay
Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace
Notable achievements and interesting facts: National Treasure fulfilled high expectations dating back to last fall in the May 20 Preakness Stakes when he jumped out to the early lead, controlled the pace, and then bravely outfinished Blazing Sevens to win the 1 3/16-mile classic by a head. The son of Quality Road had run well but failed to win any of his previous four stakes races between his debut victory at Del Mar last September and the Preakness, and he couldn’t find the resolve needed in his stretch runs to close the deal. Now, he runs back in the Belmont with three weeks of rest, and trainer Bob Baffert said that National Treasure didn’t empty the tank at Pimlico and should be able to move forward off of that career-best effort. As in the Preakness, the pace scenario for the Belmont projects as modest, and National Treasure could have his own way on the front end again. If that’s the case, jockey John Velazquez’s expertise at setting the tempo will come into play once again, and this colt will have a chance to defeat an arguably tougher field than he did in the Preakness come June 10. Belmont Stakes history: Co-owners Starlight Racing (Jack and Laurie Wolf) and Sol Kumin of Madaket Stables co-owned 2018 Belmont and Triple Crown winner Justify with other partners. Stonestreet Stables co-owned 2007 Belmont runner-up and eventual two-time Horse of the Year Curlin. Trainer Bob Baffert is aiming for his fourth Belmont Stakes win; his previous ones came with Point Given (2001) and Triple Crown winners American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018). Baffert has also finished second three times in the Belmont, the first two being near-misses at the Triple Crown with Silver Charm in 1997 and Real Quiet in 1998. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez has won this race twice, aboard the filly Rags to Riches in 2007 and Union Rags in 2012. He’s also finished second three times.
Bet National Treasure in the Belmont Stakes
Gulfstream Park/Lauren King
5. Il Miracolo (30-1)
Jockey: Marcos Meneses
Trainer: Antonio Sano
Owner: Alexandres
Career record: 10 starts – 2 wins – 3 seconds – 0 thirds
Career earnings: $103,125
Earnings per start: $10,313
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 84
Pedigree: Gun Runner – Tapit’s World, by Tapit
Color: Chestnut
Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace
Notable achievements and interesting facts: South Florida-based Il Miracolo has a good chance to go off as the longest shot in the Belmont Stakes field when the gates open. Starting last December, he competed in five consecutive stakes – four of them qualifying points races for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve – and lost them by a combined 79 ½ lengths. To say the least, such a record does not inspire confidence that this son of Horse of the Year Gun Runner will be a factor in the Belmont Stakes. Il Miracolo will come into the Belmont off of a win as he took a one-turn mile allowance-optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park by 1 ¾ lengths May 11 and led from start to finish. That said, his Equibase Speed Figure of 84 earned in that race (a co-career-best number) is about 20 to 25 points lower than what will be required to win the Belmont based on historical precedent. Look for him to vie for the early lead in Saturday’s race and then start to retreat sometime during the backstretch run. Belmont Stakes history: This will be the first Belmont Stakes appearance for all of Il Miracolo’s connections.
Bet Il Miracolo in the Belmont Stakes
Adam Coglianese/NYRA
6. Forte (5-2)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owners: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable
Career record: 7 starts – 6 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Career earnings: $2,409,830
Earnings per start: $344,261
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 106
Pedigree: Violence – Queen Caroline, by Blame
Color: Dark bay or brown
Running style: Stalker
Notable achievements and interesting facts: Expectations for Forte were sky-high leading into the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 6 only to be put on hold when he was scratched by state veterinarians on the morning of the race due to a hoof bruise. It was the right call given the international spotlight focused on the Derby, and Forte was prohibited from running in the Preakness Stakes as well based on a two-week recovery period mandated after the scratch. Now, all systems are go for Belmont 155 and Forte probably will go off as the post-time favorite against a strong field. He’s maintained top form since last fall and showed his best ability racing around two turns, sporting a perfect 4-for-4 record, including a rallying one-length win in his most recent race, the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa April 1. He’s rested, recovered, and should be ready to fire another big one in the Belmont, and although Forte has never raced on this track or attempted 1 ½ miles, his stalking running style plus the experience of champion jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. should give him an advantage. It would be a surprise to see him finish out of the money come June 10. Belmont Stakes history: Mike Repole fulfilled a childhood dream last year when Mo Donegal gave him a first Belmont victory. He purchased an interest in that colt from original owner Donegal Racing, and Repole also co-owned 2022 runner-up Nest through a different partnership. Repole finished second in his very first Belmont appearance as owner back in 2011 with Stay Thirsty. He’s had two prior Belmont starters with Forte’s co-owner Vincent Viola of St. Elias Stable. As sole owner, Viola finished second in the 2020 Belmont with Dr Post. If Forte or one of his other horses wins this year, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher can move into a tie with Woody Stephens for fourth-place in all-time Belmont Stakes wins with five. Pletcher’s four previous wins came with Rags to Riches (2007), Palace Malice (2013), Tapwrit (2017), and last year with Mo Donegal. Pletcher also trained Nest and has finished second in this race six other times. Irad Ortiz Jr. was aboard Mo Donegal last June and tallied his second Belmont win following Creator’s victory in 2015. Ortiz also rode Dr Post in 2020.
Bet Forte in the Belmont Stakes
Adam Coglianese/NYRA
7. Hit Show (10-1)
Jockey: Manny Franco
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owners: Gary and Mary West
Career record: 6 starts – 3 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Career earnings: $494,375
Earnings per start: $82,396
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 99
Pedigree: Candy Ride – Actress, by Tapit
Color: Gray or roan
Running style: Stalker/closer
Notable achievements and interesting facts: Hit Show is an intriguing upset candidate in Belmont 155 who has run well in five of his six starts and has a pedigree suited for a mile and a half. He’ll need to run a career-best race and elevate his Equibase Speed Figure about 8-10 points to topple this field under Belmont Park mainstay jockey Manny Franco. The Candy Ride colt ran a sneaky-good fifth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve May 5, stalking a hot pace and tiring slightly in the homestretch but still trying hard. Prior to that, Hit Show easily won a Derby prep race at Aqueduct in February and then finished second by a nose to longshot Lord Miles in the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino at the same track April 8 after being jostled by the winner and third-place horse in a very tight finish. The pace in the Belmont projects to be modest, and if Franco can situate Hit Show in a good stalking spot as he did in the Kentucky Derby, this colt has shown the ability to finish strong. Belmont Stakes history: Hit Show will be the third Belmont starter for owners Gary and Mary West. Cox has three starters in the race after winning the Belmont Stakes in his very first appearance with Essential Quality in 2021. Franco won the 2020 Belmont aboard Tiz the Law when the race was held as the first leg of the Triple Crown series instead of the third due to rescheduling caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bet Hit Show in the Belmont Stakes
Eclipse Sportswire
8. Angel of Empire (7-2)
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables
Career record: 7 starts – 4 wins – 1 second – 1 third
Career earnings: $1,369,375
Earnings per start: $195,625
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 106
Pedigree: Classic Empire – Armony’s Angel, by To Honor and Serve
Color: Bay
Running style: Closer
Notable achievements and interesting facts: Angel of Empire went off as the 4.06-1 post-time favorite in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 6, and he came with his patented late run in the stretch of the 1 ¼-mile Derby only to finish third by 1 ½ lengths. In his two wins leading up to the Kentucky Derby – the Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Lincoln and Lamarque Crescent City Ford and the Arkansas Derby – he also finished with a rush and galloped out well. This colt has been pointed to long-distance races such as the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes for several months, and the Belmont’s mile and a half should be right in his wheelhouse. It will be critical for jockey Flavien Prat to keep him within range of the pacesetters through the early stages of the race, however, as deep closers have not had much success in the Belmont. Angel of Empire will wear blinkers for the Belmont, which could help him in this regard. Belmont Stakes history: Owner Albaugh Family Stables will have its third Belmont horse either as sole owner or in a partnership. Cox comes back to the Belmont with three starters after winning the race in his very first appearance with Essential Quality in 2021. The horse Essential Quality defeated in 2021, Hot Rod Charlie, was ridden by Flavien Prat in his first Belmont appearance. Prat finished fourth last year.
Bet Angel of Empire in the Belmont Stakes
Adam Coglianese/NYRA
9. Red Route One (15-1)
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds
Career record: 10 starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third
Career earnings: $732,525
Earnings per start: $73,253
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 102
Pedigree: Gun Runner – Red House, by Tapit
Color: Chestnut
Running style: Closer
Notable achievements and interesting facts: Normally a deep closer, Red Route One was positioned in midpack three weeks ago in the Preakness Stakes by jockey Joel Rosario, who correctly sensed that the Preakness pace was pedestrian and therefore required him and his horse to be closer to the leaders. Even so, Red Route One actually lost ground in the stretch and ended up fourth, defeated 4 ¾ lengths by National Treasure. Now, he wheels back along with that victor off on three weeks of rest and once again may have to alter his usual come-from-well-back strategy when running in a Belmont Stakes that lacks early speed. Prior to the Preakness, Red Route One grinded through the stretch and won the 1 1/8-mile Bath House Row Stakes at Oaklawn Park by a head over Tapit Shoes with Rosario riding for the first time. He’s well-bred for 1 ½ miles but lacks an electric turn of foot and is best viewed as a horse that could pass a few tiring foes and fill out the Belmont superfecta – or possibly the trifecta – with his best effort. Having two-time Belmont winner Rosario in the irons is a big plus. Belmont Stakes history: Owner Winchell Thoroughbreds makes its third Belmont appearance this year. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen won the 2015 Belmont with Creator and finished second in 2007 with fellow Hall of Famer Curlin. Rosario’s Belmont wins came aboard Tonalist in 2014 and Sir Winston in 2019. He also finished second in 2015.
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