Belmont Stakes Analysis
Here is a quick look at the field for Saturday's 142d Belmont Stakes at
11/2 miles. Purse: $1 million. Post time: 6:32 p.m. TV: 6ABC, 5 p.m.; ESPN, noon.
PP Horse. . . Trainer Jockey Odds
1. Dave in Dixie John Sadler Calvin Borel 20-1
Has only a maiden win, and a second in Grade II Bob Lewis at Santa Anita. Only race over dirt was a distant fifth, beaten 16 lengths in Illinois Derby. He's no Sarava.
2. Spangled Star Rick Dutrow Garrett Gomez 30-1
His maiden race Beyer figure of 2 might be lowest ever for a Triple Crown race for a horse that wasn't eased. At least that was on turf. Tomlinson numbers say mud and distance. Should be 100-1.
3. Uptowncharlybrown Kiaran McLaughlin Rajiv Maragh 10-1
Has been working well at Belmont, but has raced at only Keeneland (once) and Tampa (four times). Never been past a mile and a sixteenth. Beaten by only two lengths by Super Saver in Tampa Bay Derby and closed well in Lexington.
4. Make Music for Me. . . Alexis Barba Joel Rosario 10-1
Came running late in Derby, and had a bullet work at Belmont Monday. Ran in two Grade I's before even breaking maiden in March on the turf.
5. Fly Down. . . Nick Zito John Velazquez 9-2
Was impressive in winning the Grade II Dwyer by six lengths, then had bullet work at Saratoga. He ran down First Dude twice in close finishes and switches to Velazquez because Lezcano rides Ice Box. He'll be flying at the end.
6. Ice Box. . . Nick Zito Jose Lezcano 3-1
Came from 24 lengths back to finish second in the goo at Churchill and won the Florida Derby with same devastating late kick. Zito had Birdstone and D'Tara win this marathon. One ran down Smarty Jones, the other led all the way.
PP Horse. . . Trainer Jockey Odds
7. Drosselmeyer Bill Mott Mike Smith 12-1
Was second in the Dwyer at 7-10, and rallied too late in the Louisiana Derby. He's been working lights out at Belmont and Mott switches to Smith from Kent Desormeaux.
8. Game On Dude. . . Bob Baffert Martin Garcia 10-1
Baffert won the Preakness with Lookin at Lucky and Garcia, but this would be a shocker. Gelding won the Lone Star Derby, not exactly a traditional Belmont prep. Was up the track in Florida Derby
9. Stately Victor. . . Mike Maker Alan Garcia 15-1
This is the one that's intriguing the handicappers. Trouble galore in sloppy Derby after stunning romp on synthetic in Blue Grass, this grass runner will be yet another making a late move. Won Blue Grass at 40-1, eighth in Derby at 20-1. Should be double digits again.
10. Stay Put. . . Steve Margolis Jamie Theriot 20-1
Won an optional claimer at Churchill on Derby day, won optional claimer at Fair Grounds. Was minor factor in Louisiana Derby. He, too, will be running late.
11. First Dude Dale Romans Ramon Dominguez 7-2
Damn near stole the Preakness at 24-1, he'll be on or close to the lead here, too. Paternal grandsire A.P. Indy, who won the race in 1992, sired Rags to Riches, who won in 2007. Has lost to Stately Victor, Ice Box and Fly Down.
12. Interactif Todd Pletcher Javier Castellano 12-1
This versatile colt has run on dirt, turf and synthetic, breaking maiden in first try at Monmouth at 2. He has run at Saratoga, Santa Anita, Keeneland and Gulfstream, all fancy neighborhoods. He pressed Sidney's Candy in San Felipe and will stick close to First Dude all the way around.