Rich Strike, the 80-1 shot ridden by Sonny Leon and educated by Eric Reed, mounted a livid and inconceivable rally to seize the 148th Kentucky Derby on May 7. He was not even within the discipline till one other horse was scratched the day earlier than the race.
But after skipping the Preakness Stakes on May 21, forgoing a shot on the Triple Crown, Rich Strike will look to show within the Belmont Stakes on Saturday that his Derby win was no fluke.
The Belmont horses are listed so as of submit place, with feedback by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. The morning-line odds have been set by David Aragona of the New York Racing Association.
Purse: $1.5 million assured Distance: 1½ miles
Track report: For a mile and a half, 2:24 (Secretariat, 1973); for a mile and an eighth, 1:45.40 (Secretariat, 1973)
Weight: 126 kilos
Post time: Saturday at 6:44 p.m. Eastern
How to watch: Coverage on Saturday begins on CNBC at 3 p.m., Eastern time, and strikes to NBC at 5 p.m. Coverage will even be streamed on NBCSports.com.
Our Picks
Joe Drape’s win-place-show picks: Rich Strike, Mo Donegal, We the People
Melissa Hoppert’s picks: Mo Donegal, Creative Minister, We the People
Here’s how we see the sector:
1. We the People
Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset Jockey: Flavien Prat Odds: 2-1
Drape: This colt possesses the excessive cruising pace that normally wins this race.
Hoppert: His gate-to-wire romp on an off observe within the Peter Pan at Belmont was his third win in 4 begins. With rain within the forecast, will anybody have the option to catch him?
2. Skippylongstocking
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. Jockey: Manny Franco Odds: 20-1
Drape: Of the late runners on this discipline, he’s the slowest. Looking elsewhere.
Hoppert: The fifth-place Preakness finisher has not less than one factor going for him: the very best identify within the discipline after his 4 dark-colored legs, or stockings.
3. Nest
Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Jose Ortiz Odds: 8-1
Drape: This is a hard-trying filly who is not going to let We the People get too removed from her.
Hoppert: The Kentucky Oaks runner-up has received 4 of six races and is bred for this marathon race. Pletcher has received it earlier than with a filly, in 2007 with Rags to Riches. Leave her off your exotics at your individual danger.
4. Rich Strike
Trainer: Eric Reed Jockey: Sonny Leon Odds: 7-2
Drape: The shock Derby winner is coaching like a monster after skipping the Preakness. He ought to run nicely.
Hoppert: He is out to show himself right here, and whereas the gap shouldn’t be a difficulty, he’d want one other excellent journey.
5. Creative Minister
Trainer: Kenny McPeek Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Odds: 6-1
Drape: This colt has tactical pace and could push We the People early.
Hoppert: The third-place Preakness finisher has hit the board in all 4 of his races starting along with his March debut. Surely there’s a variety of potential left.
6. Mo Donegal
Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Odds: 5-2
Drape: Like Rich Strike, this colt wants to keep shut to the tempo for his late kick to have an opportunity.
Hoppert: He bumped into some site visitors and completed fifth within the Derby, his first time lacking the board in six races. Pletcher is aware of what it takes to win the Belmont, having received three, and the highest jockey in New York may have him inside hanging vary.
7. Golden Glider
Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Dylan Davis Odds: 20-1
Drape: So far, he has not been adequate to beat his high-end friends.
Hoppert: The Peter Pan runner-up completed 10¼ lengths behind We the People. Pass.
8. Barber Road
Trainer: John Ortiz Jockey: Joel Rosario Odds: 10-1
Drape: This colt is a constant check-casher and will likely be charging on the finish.
Hoppert: He had a troubled journey within the Derby however nonetheless was ready to muster a sixth-place end. He picks up Rosario, who will be certain he stays within the combine.
