1 1/2 miles stand between California Chrome and becoming the 12th Triple Crown winner. 10 horses are set to make sure that another year passes in between TC winners. Lets take a look at this year's Belmont field.
11th Race - Belmont Park - Saturday, June 7th, 2014
STAKES. 1 1/2 Mile Dirt. Purse $1,500,000. Belmont S. (Grade 1). FOR THREE YEAR OLDS. By subscription of $600 each, to accompany the nomination, if made on or before January 25, 2014, or $6,000, if made on or before March 22, 2014. At any time prior to the closing time of entries, horses may be nominated to The Belmont Stakes upon payment of a supplementary fee of $75,000 to the New York Racing Association, Inc. $15,000 to pass the entry box and $15,000 additional to start. All entrants will be required to pay entry and starting fees; but no fees, supplemental or otherwise shall be added to the purse. The purse to be divided $800,000 to the winner, $280,000 to second, $150,000 to third, $100,000 to fourth, $60,000 to fifth, $45,000 to sixth, $35,000 to seventh and $30,000 to eighth. Colts and Geldings, 126 lbs.; Fillies, 121 lbs. The winning owner will be presented with the August Belmont Memorial Cup to be retained for one year as well as a trophy for permanent possession and trophies to the winning trainer and jockey. (06:52 PM) (11)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Medal Count 3 C L 126 Albarado Robby Romans Dale L.
2 California Chrome 3 C L 126 Espinoza Victor Sherman Art
3 Matterhorn 3 C L 126 Bravo Joe Pletcher Todd A.
4 Commanding Curve 3 R L 126 Bridgmohan Shaun Stewart Dallas
5 Ride On Curlin 3 C L 126 Velazquez John R. Gowan William G.
6 Matuszak 3 C L 126 Smith Mike E. Mott William I.
7 Samraat 3 C L 126 Ortiz Jose L. Violette, Jr. Richard A.
8 Commissioner 3 C L 126 Castellano Javier Pletcher Todd A.
9 Wicked Strong 3 C L 126 Maragh Rajiv Jerkens James A.
10 General A Rod 3 C L 126 Napravnik Rosie Maker Michael J.
11 Tonalist 3 C L 126 Rosario Joel Clement Christophe
Post positions don't really matter that much in this race because of the length. Some people think California Chrome's post is good and some who think that it's terrible. The horses who are serious challengers to Cal Chrome are Tonalist, Wicked Strong, Commanding Curve, Medal Count and Commissioner. I don't think Ride On Curlin is as big of a threat for a few reasons, the biggest is that this is the third jockey change in a row. Secondly while he was bred for two turns he has yet to win going it. Thirdly, to me he looked to be spinning his wheels on the Pimlico surface at the end. He had every chance to pass Chrome there and he didn't. Samraat would be a minor surprise and General A Rod, well his sire already has a Belmont winner. Matterhorn and Mutuszak have no business being in this race.
I want to see a Triple Crown, I really do. However, Wicked Strong was my Derby pick and ran into so much traffic in that race, yet ran well enough to run fourth. He broke his maiden at Belmont last year and has run his best races in New York. He is my choice to upset California Chrome in the Belmont.
Win: Wicked Strong
Place: Tonalist
Show: California Chrome
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