Wealthy Strike, the 80-1 shot ridden by Sonny Leon and educated by Eric Reed, mounted a livid and inconceivable rally to seize the 148th Kentucky Derby on Could 7. He was not even within the area till one other horse was scratched the day earlier than the race.
However after skipping the Preakness Stakes on Could 21, forgoing a shot on the Triple Crown, Wealthy Strike will look to show within the Belmont Stakes on Saturday that his Derby win was no fluke.
The Belmont horses are listed so as of publish place, with feedback by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Instances. The morning-line odds have been set by David Aragona of the New York Racing Affiliation.
Purse: $1.5 million assured Distance: 1½ miles
Monitor document: For a mile and a half, 2:24 (Secretariat, 1973); for a mile and an eighth, 1:45.40 (Secretariat, 1973)
Weight: 126 kilos
Put up time: Saturday at 6:44 p.m. Jap
Easy methods to watch: Protection on Saturday begins on CNBC at 3 p.m., Jap time, and strikes to NBC at 5 p.m. Protection may even be streamed on NBCSports.com.
Our Picks
Joe Drape’s win-place-show picks: Wealthy Strike, Mo Donegal, We the Folks
Melissa Hoppert’s picks: Mo Donegal, Artistic Minister, We the Folks
Right here’s how we see the sector:
1. We the Folks
Coach: Rodolphe Brisset Jockey: Flavien Prat Odds: 2-1
Drape: This colt possesses the excessive cruising pace that normally wins this race.
Hoppert: His gate-to-wire romp on an off monitor within the Peter Pan at Belmont was his third win in 4 begins. With rain within the forecast, will anybody be capable of catch him?
2. Skippylongstocking
Coach: Saffie Joseph Jr. Jockey: Manny Franco Odds: 20-1
Drape: Of the late runners on this area, he’s the slowest. Wanting elsewhere.
Hoppert: The fifth-place Preakness finisher has a minimum of one factor going for him: the perfect title within the area after his 4 dark-colored legs, or stockings.
3. Nest
Coach: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Jose Ortiz Odds: 8-1
Drape: It is a hard-trying filly who is not going to let We the Folks get too removed from her.
Hoppert: The Kentucky Oaks runner-up has gained 4 of six races and is bred for this marathon race. Pletcher has gained it earlier than with a filly, in 2007 with Rags to Riches. Go away her off your exotics at your personal threat.
4. Wealthy Strike
Coach: Eric Reed Jockey: Sonny Leon Odds: 7-2
Drape: The shock Derby winner is coaching like a monster after skipping the Preakness. He ought to run effectively.
Hoppert: He’s out to show himself right here, and whereas the gap shouldn’t be a difficulty, he’d want one other good journey.
5. Artistic Minister
Coach: Kenny McPeek Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Odds: 6-1
Drape: This colt has tactical pace and should push We the Folks early.
Hoppert: The third-place Preakness finisher has hit the board in all 4 of his races starting along with his March debut. Absolutely there’s plenty of potential left.
6. Mo Donegal
Coach: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Odds: 5-2
Drape: Like Wealthy Strike, this colt wants to remain near the tempo for his late kick to have an opportunity.
Hoppert: He bumped into some site visitors and completed fifth within the Derby, his first time lacking the board in six races. Pletcher is aware of what it takes to win the Belmont, having gained three, and the highest jockey in New York could have him inside placing vary.
7. Golden Glider
Coach: Mark Casse Jockey: Dylan Davis Odds: 20-1
Drape: Thus far, he has not been ok to beat his high-end friends.
Hoppert: The Peter Pan runner-up completed 10¼ lengths behind We the Folks. Go.
8. Barber Highway
Coach: John Ortiz Jockey: Joel Rosario Odds: 10-1
Drape: This colt is a constant check-casher and will likely be charging on the finish.
Hoppert: He had a troubled journey within the Derby however nonetheless was in a position to muster a sixth-place end. He picks up Rosario, who will make certain he stays within the combine.
