Five weeks after the top 3-year-olds answered a question about their ability to run 1 1/4 mile in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), the Triple Crown’s final jewel will spark similar concerns about the distance that the participants. will probably only appear once in their career.
At 1 and a half mile, the $1.5 million Belmont Stock presented by NYRA Bets (G1) presents a tough challenge, but coach Saffie Joseph Jr. believe that a round trip Belmont Park would be good for the fifth place finisher Preakness Stakes (G1) Skippylongstocking .
“I feel a mile and a half would work in his favor, so why not give it a chance?” Joseph said May 24 from his South Florida base. “The distance is a question mark. But he’s evenly paced and the way he builds, frame wise, you’d think he’d handle it, but until they do, you won’t know for sure. We’re optimistic he’ll get the distance.”
Daniel Alonso son of Magnifier arrived at Belmont Park on 23 May to train the Belmont. Joseph said he will probably work him once there before the classic June 11th.
Joseph said there were two top finishers in Preakness, Vote early and Epicenter ignore Belmont made the easier decision to send Skippylongstocking back to New York, where he finished third Mo Donegal a possible Belmont promoter, and the April 9 Early Voting of the Wood Memorial Stock presented by Resorts World Casino (G2).
“He ran an even race in Preakness. The top two of that race won’t be in Belmont, and that helps,” Joseph said.
In the 1/16-mile Preakness, Skippylongstocking was beaten 12-1 from the outside post in zone nine and finished seventh after the opening 1/4 mile before finishing fifth, 7 1/2. after the early victory. Voting.
The list of probable and probable starters for Belmont also includes the Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike; Creative Minister , who came in third in Preakness; Winner Peter Pan Stakes (G3) We who , Haircut line , The path of purity , Golden roller coaster , Kuchar and filthy people Nest runner-up in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).
The Belmont stake will be one of eight tier 1 stakes on a card that also includes the Hill ‘n’ Dale Capital Handicap (G1); Casino World Casino Manhattan Resort (G1T); Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1); Acorn Shares (G1); Longines Just A Game Stakes (G1T); Woody Stephens Shares are presented by Mohegan Sun (G1) and Jaipur Shares (G1T).
