Even though we have several weeks to go before the Belmont gates open and we know for sure weather or not American Pharoah can be the first horse since Affirmed to win the Triple Crown. However, today's post is about the horses who are going to try to spoil that try. Here is a look at the horses (who according to Horse Racing Nation and DRF) are heading to this year's Belmont.
Mubtaahij (Duwabi) Trainer: Mike deKock
Pros: Of all of the contenders, he has the best pedigree for the mile and a half. All of his losses have been at a mile or less. In fact outside of Pharoah he is the only one in the race whose had a win at least 1 3/16. He doesn't get Lasix which is known to dehydrate horses, and if it's a warm day that could be to his advantage (as well as being used to running in Dubai even though that's at night when it's cooler).
Cons: What he faced in Dubai is suspect. The lone US horse who he faced in the UAE Derby has yet to race again and Maftool the runner up finished poorly in the French 2000 Guineas. Granted that was on turf and at a mile. However he had already lost to Maftool in the UAE 2000 Guineas. Has never raced in NY.
Madefromlucky (Lookin at Lucky) Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pros: The Peter Pan winner which is big since last year's PP winner won the Belmont. Also he hails from the same female family as Tapit (being out his full sister). Like Mubtaahij, he prefers longer distances. His trainer has won the Belmont twice with Palace Malice and with the filly Rags to Riches. Possibly the only horse other then Tale of Verve and AP to be able to handle the mud.
Cons: He has had the unfortunate luck of facing American Pharoah twice. Once a runner up finish and then a 4th.
Carpe Diem (Giant's Causeway) Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pros: Poor Derby sometimes does say good Belmont. Two horses who he defeated have run well in both of this year's TC races.
Cons: Derby was a disaster for him. Like stablemates Madeforlucky and Materiality he has never started at Belmont before.
Keen Ice (Curlin) Trainer: Dale Romans
Pros: Ran okay in the Derby, trainer has spoiled a TC (granted it was in the Preakness) and shares a sire with Conquest Curlinate.
Cons: Belmont tends to be a speed biased track (even though it is also considered a tiring track), he will need to be closer to have a major chance.
Tale of Verve (Tale of Ekati) Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Pros: Ran extremely well in the Preakness after being left out of the Derby. His broodmare sire is the great-grandsire (on his sire's side) of American Pharoah. 1/2 sister to his dam has produced 2 G1 winners who won over the surface.
Cons: Still only a maiden win to his name. Can he follow up good finish with another one? Also unlike the rest, the furthest that he has gone is 1 3/16.
Materiality (Afleet Alex) Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pros: Sire won the Preakness and Belmont after a poor Derby. Broodmare sire has won the Canadian Triple Crown with one of his sons.
Cons: Just started racing this year, has never raced in NY.
Frosted (Tapit) Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Pros: Of the horses who skipped the Preakness... he is likely the horse who most people are going to call "the best chance to spoil". Won NY's Derby prep and trained by a Belmont winner (Jazil). (Note: Todd Pletcher, Dallas Stewart and Kiaran McLaughlin are former assistants to D. Wayne Lukas)
Cons: Lone start at Belmont (granted a sprint) was runner up finish. Only poor finish was at Gulfstream. Also sometimes "the best chance to spoil/win" hasn't always worked out.
Frammento (Midshipman) Trainer: Nick Zito
Pros: Ran well after having to wait to get into the Derby. Belmont winning trainer.
Cons: Never run at Belmont, maiden win only to his name.
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