Handicapping the Belmont Stakes
A look at the field for the 149th running of the Belmont Stakes, to be contested Saturday at Belmont Park at 1½ miles. Post time: 6:37 p.m. TV: NBC.
(in post position order)
1. Twisted Tom
Odds: 20-1
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Chad Brown
Comment: A New York-bred who has won four of six races but has not faced this type of competition.
Twisted Tom
2. Tapwrit
Odds: 6-1
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Comment: He finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby but had a lot of trouble during the running of the race.
Tapwrit
3. Gormley
Odds: 8-1
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Comment: He was in contention in the Kentucky Derby but eventually faded to ninth.
4. J Boys Echo
Odds: 15-1
Jockey: Robbie Albarado
Trainer: Dale Romans
Comment: He has not been able to duplicate his fast victory in the Gotham in March; was 15th in the Kentucky Derby.
5. Hollywood Handsome
Odds: 30-1
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Comment: Seems a cut below the best of his generation, but Stewart has had other long shots run well in Triple Crown races.
Hollywood Handsome
6. Lookin At Lee
Odds: 5-1
Jockey: Irad Ortiz
Trainer: Steven Asmussen
Comment: Second in the Kentucky Derby, fourth in the Preakness; he’ll need a fast early pace and a big late run.
7. Irish War Cry
Odds: 7-2
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh
Trainer: Graham Motion
Comment: Every other race he runs very well, and he’s coming off a disappointing 10th in the Kentucky Derby.
8. Senior Investment
Odds: 12-1
Jockey: Channing Hill
Trainer: Ken McPeek
Comment: He’ll do his best running late in the race; passed five horses in the stretch to finish third in the Preakness.
Senior Investment
9. Meantime
Odds: 15-1
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Brian Lynch
Comment: He’ll most likely set the early pace and go as far as he can; Smith will have to set slow fractions for that strategy to be successful.
10. Multiplier
Odds: 15-1
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Comment: He took a big step up in competition in the Preakness and wasn’t able to meet the challenge.
11. Epicharis
Odds: 4-1
Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
Trainer: Kiyoshi Hagiwara
Comment: A mystery horse from Japan who has been pointing for the Belmont all spring; last raced March 25, finishing second to Thunder Snow in Dubai.
Patch
12. Patch
Odds: 12-1
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Comment: A favorite of bettors because he has only one eye, but was never a factor in the Kentucky Derby.
Prediction: 1. Tapwrit; 2. Irish War Cry; 3. Twisted Tom.
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