Belmont Stakes preview

Belmont Stakes preview

The 2022 Belmont Stakes takes place on Saturday, June 11 at Belmont Park in New York and is the third and final leg of America's Triple Crown, following the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.

'Run for the Roses' winner Rich Strike skipped the Preakness Stakes race but is expected to be at Belmont for the race dubbed 'The Test of Champions'.

The Belmont Stakes is run over a mile-and-a-half or one full lap of the Belmont Park track, which is widely regarded as one of the fairest in the United States, owing to its large, wide, sweeping turns and the long home stretch that gives every competitor a chance to shine.

The Belmont Stakes field 

The final field will be set later in the week but as many as 10 contenders are now probable for the $1.5million Belmont Stakes.

The owners of Rich Strike caused quite a stir in opting to skip the Preakness Stakes on the back of winning the Kentucky Derby, thus ensuring there was no Triple Crown attempt, but the daring last-to-first winner of the Churchill Downs classic looks set to make his way to New York. 

Ahead of him in the betting is Mo Donegal for Todd Pletcher and likely rider Irad Ortiz Jr. The Wood Memorial winner was only fifth in the Kentucky Derby but looks the type to excel at this longer distance and he's got a leading chance of avenging his defeat to Rich Strike in Louisville.

Completing the trio towards the front of the market is We the People for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. He was last spotted winning the Peter Pan Stakes at Pimlico on May 14. 

The likes of Creative Minister for Kenny McPeek, Ethereal Road for D. Wayne Lukas, and Kentucky Derby sixth-place finisher Barber Road for John Ortiz are all capable of making their mark in the Belmont Stakes.

Meanwhile, Pletcher – a three-time winning trainer in the Belmont Stakes (2007, 2013, 2017) – could field a second runner in Nest, the lone filly set to take on the boys. She was last seen finishing second in the Kentucky Oaks. Sired by Curlin, out of 1992 Belmont winner A.P. Indy, her breeding gives her every chance of excelling at this longer trip.

The all-important draw for post-positions for the Belmont Stakes takes place on Tuesday, June 7, following the final confirmations for the finale of America's 2022 Triple Crown season.

Belmont Stakes: Runners and riders

Find our latest horse racing odds ahead of the Belmont Stakes with Pinnacle.

*Odds subject to change

 

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