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The Belmont Stakes: Horse-by-horse preview and picks
As California Chrome looks to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed completed the hat trick in 1978, the pressure now falls squarely on the diminutive shoulders of jockey Victor Espinoza.
With a nation rooting for an underdog turned superhero, California Chrome has gone from a colt who won the Kentucky Derby because, as pundits feel, the field was weak, to larger than life status with his impressive run in the Preakness. Espinoza now bares the burden of not messing things up.
Eleven horses have won the Triple Crown. Can the West Coast sensation make it a dozen? Here's a look at the 11-horse field for the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday:
1. Medal Count (jockey: Robby Albarado, odds: 20-1): Had traffic problems finishing in eighth place in the Kentucky Derby and becomes an intriguing choice here. He's also worked very well since that race and enters Saturday's 1 1/2 mile event as fresh as can be.
2. California Chrome (Victor Espinoza, 3-5): Is the 13th horse since Affirmed won to have a shot at the Triple Crown after winning the first two legs. (I'll Have Another won the first two legs but did not run in the Belmont). Has great tactical speed and deserves to be the odds-on choice. The post also won't be a problem because the inside horses are late runners.
3. Matterhorn (Joe Bravo, 30-1): Todd Pletcher-trainee has one win in four lifetime starts and certainly seems to be up against it here. Well-bred and was a decent fourth in the Peter Pan on this surface.
4. Commanding Curve (Shaun Bridgmohan, 15-1): Avoided the trouble that hampered so many contenders to finish second in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 37-1. Has just one lifetime win and a middle-of-the-pack Beyer rating. Finished just 1 3/4 lengths behind Chrome in the Derby but the winner took his foot off the gas late.
5. Ride On Curlin (John Velazquez, 12-1): His connections say the distance will suit him fine but how many horses are truly bred for the Test of Champions? You have to like his effort but he's certainly not fresh.
6. Matuszak (Mike Smith, 30-1): Beyer speed figures are just awful for this one who's won just once. Closed for second in the Tesio Stakes but was not gaining on the winner. Pass.
7. Samraat (Jose Ortiz, 20-1): Freshened since a fifth in the Kentucky Derby, this gritty colt loves New York but the distance really figures to be a major obstacle. Should be near the front but don't think he'll last.
8. Commissioner (Javier Castellano, 20-1): Another Pletcher runner who certainly has the bloodlines (A.P. Indy and Touch Gold) to win this one. He was soundly beaten in the Fountain of Youth and the Arkansas Derby but I'd put a couple of shekels on him if his odds climb.
9. Wicked Strong (Rajiv Maragh, 6-1): Chrome's biggest contender had a miserable trip in the Kentucky Derby and skipped the Preakness with an eye on the Belmont. Posted a monstrous win in the Wood Memorial in New York and is a major player.
10. General a Rod (Rosie Napravnik, 20-1): Has had legitimate excuses in the first two legs of the Triple Crown but that doesn't make him any fresher. He certainly fits with these horses but don't think he'll be able to get the distance.
11. Tonalist (Joel Rosario, 8-1): Figures to be too heavily bet for a horse which has not faced this type of competition. He has speed and a nice win over this surface. How long can he last?
Picks: California Chrome, Commissioner, Wicked Strong, Medal Count
As California Chrome looks to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed completed the hat trick in 1978, the pressure now falls squarely on the diminutive shoulders of jockey Victor Espinoza.
With a nation rooting for an underdog turned superhero, California Chrome has gone from a colt who won the Kentucky Derby because, as pundits feel, the field was weak, to larger than life status with his impressive run in the Preakness. Espinoza now bares the burden of not messing things up.
Eleven horses have won the Triple Crown. Can the West Coast sensation make it a dozen? Here's a look at the 11-horse field for the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday:
1. Medal Count (jockey: Robby Albarado, odds: 20-1): Had traffic problems finishing in eighth place in the Kentucky Derby and becomes an intriguing choice here. He's also worked very well since that race and enters Saturday's 1 1/2 mile event as fresh as can be.
2. California Chrome (Victor Espinoza, 3-5): Is the 13th horse since Affirmed won to have a shot at the Triple Crown after winning the first two legs. (I'll Have Another won the first two legs but did not run in the Belmont). Has great tactical speed and deserves to be the odds-on choice. The post also won't be a problem because the inside horses are late runners.
3. Matterhorn (Joe Bravo, 30-1): Todd Pletcher-trainee has one win in four lifetime starts and certainly seems to be up against it here. Well-bred and was a decent fourth in the Peter Pan on this surface.
4. Commanding Curve (Shaun Bridgmohan, 15-1): Avoided the trouble that hampered so many contenders to finish second in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 37-1. Has just one lifetime win and a middle-of-the-pack Beyer rating. Finished just 1 3/4 lengths behind Chrome in the Derby but the winner took his foot off the gas late.
5. Ride On Curlin (John Velazquez, 12-1): His connections say the distance will suit him fine but how many horses are truly bred for the Test of Champions? You have to like his effort but he's certainly not fresh.
6. Matuszak (Mike Smith, 30-1): Beyer speed figures are just awful for this one who's won just once. Closed for second in the Tesio Stakes but was not gaining on the winner. Pass.
7. Samraat (Jose Ortiz, 20-1): Freshened since a fifth in the Kentucky Derby, this gritty colt loves New York but the distance really figures to be a major obstacle. Should be near the front but don't think he'll last.
8. Commissioner (Javier Castellano, 20-1): Another Pletcher runner who certainly has the bloodlines (A.P. Indy and Touch Gold) to win this one. He was soundly beaten in the Fountain of Youth and the Arkansas Derby but I'd put a couple of shekels on him if his odds climb.
9. Wicked Strong (Rajiv Maragh, 6-1): Chrome's biggest contender had a miserable trip in the Kentucky Derby and skipped the Preakness with an eye on the Belmont. Posted a monstrous win in the Wood Memorial in New York and is a major player.
10. General a Rod (Rosie Napravnik, 20-1): Has had legitimate excuses in the first two legs of the Triple Crown but that doesn't make him any fresher. He certainly fits with these horses but don't think he'll be able to get the distance.
11. Tonalist (Joel Rosario, 8-1): Figures to be too heavily bet for a horse which has not faced this type of competition. He has speed and a nice win over this surface. How long can he last?
Picks: California Chrome, Commissioner, Wicked Strong, Medal Count
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