Belmont Stakes Preview (Part 3)

This is it! The preview that everyone has been waiting for. Can American Pharoah become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed? Or will it be another year of heartache. Lets take a look at this year's Belmont field.


11th Race - Belmont Park - Saturday, June 6th, 2015
STAKES. 1 1/2 Mile Dirt. Purse $1,500,000. Belmont S. presented by DraftKings (Grade 1). FOR THREE YEAR OLDS. By subscription of $600 each, to accompany the nomination, if made on or before January 17, 2015, or $6,000, if made on or before March 23, 2015. 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. (06:50 PM) (8)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Mubtaahij (IRE) 3 C 126 Ortiz, Jr. Irad de Kock Michael F.
2 Tale Of Verve 3 C L 126 Stevens Gary L. Stewart Dallas
3 Madefromlucky 3 C L 126 Castellano Javier Pletcher Todd A.
4 Frammento 3 C L o 126 Smith Mike E. Zito Nicholas P.
5 American Pharoah 3 C L 126 Espinoza Victor Baffert Bob
6 Frosted 3 C L 126 Rosario Joel McLaughlin Kiaran P.
7 Keen Ice 3 C L 126 Desormeaux Kent J. Romans Dale L.
8 Materiality 3 C L 126 Velazquez John R. Pletcher Todd A.

Mubtaahij has the pedigree to go a mile and a half, however that's on turf. Tale of Verve may have gotten lucky with the sloppy track, however his broodmare sire is Unbridled. Madefromlucky's dad won the Preakness and hails from the same female family as Tapit. Fragment's trainer has spoiled 2 TC's in the past. Frosted is the buzz horse. Keen Ice I think is a serious threat and despite it being the 10 year anniversary of his sire's Belmont win... I'm not entirely sold on Materiality. As for American Pharoah, the pressure is going to be great on him.

My heart says AP can do it. My head says that the three horses who have a big chance to beat him are Keen Ice, Frosted and Madefromlucky with Tale Of Verve and Mubtaahij have good chances. End the end I think AP gets it done... by a length. Keen Ice for second and Frosted for third.

Good luck to all and safe travels!