The Triple Crown series that got off to such an auspicious start May 6 when Barbaro scored the most decisive Kentucky Derby victory in 60 years will come to an inauspicious conclusion in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.
The winners of the Derby and May 20 Preakness are conspicuous by their absence. Barbaro is recovering from life-threatening injuries sustained in the Preakness, while Preakness winner Bernardini is resting on his laurels. In addition, the no-show list includes such Triple Crown prep race luminaries as Brother Derek (Santa Anita Derby), Lawyer Ron (Arkansas Derby) and Sweetnorthernsaint (Illinois Derby).
A pair of horses trained by Todd Pletcher head Saturday’s field of 11: Bluegrass Cat, morning-line favorite at 3-1, and Sunriver, second choice at 4-1. Indicative of the drainage of the talent pool in the last five weeks, Bluegrass Cat was a 30-1 long shot when he finished a non-threatening second in the Kentucky Derby, while Sunriver was excluded from the 20-horse Derby because of insufficient earnings in graded stakes races.
There’s another touch of irony to the Belmont. Barbaro’s rider, Edgar Prado, and Bernardini’s trainer, Tom Albertrani, are joining forces to try to pull an upset with 15-1 shot Deputy Glitters.
Another subplot involves the Boss. New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner will be in quest of his first triumph in a Triple Crown race when trainer Nick Zito sends out his third-place Preakness finisher, Hemingway’s Key.
Neil Milbert handicaps the Belmont
Post-position draw for Saturday’s 138th running of the Belmont; 5:33 p.m. CDT post time.
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PP HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS
9 Bluegrass Cat John Velazquez Todd Pletcher 3-1
COMMENT: Derby runner-up loves N.Y.
2 Sunriver Rafael Bejarano Todd Pletcher 4-1
COMMENT: Impressive prep winner
4 Bob and John Garrett Gomez Bob Baffert 5-1
COMMENT: Californian is capable
11 Steppenwolfer Robby Albarado Dan Pietz 9-2
COMMENT: 3rd in Derby; tough trip
3 Hemingway’s Key Jeremy Rose Nick Zito 15-1
COMMENT: Another upset for Zito?
8 Jazil Fernando Jara Kiaran McLaughlin 10-1
COMMENT: Will make stretch run
5 High Finance Eibar Coa Richard Violette 12-1
COMMENT: Big winner in last 2
7 Deputy Glitters Edgar Prado Tom Albertrani 15-1
COMMENT: Notable rider and trainer
6 Oh So Awesome Mike Smith Jimmy Jerkens 15-1
COMMENT: Lends foreign intrigue
12 Sacred Light Victor Espinoza David Hofmans 15-1
COMMENT: Trainer knows the way
1 Platinum Couple Jose Espinoza Joe Lostritto 30-1
COMMENT: Ran poorly in Preakness
10 Double Galore Mike Luzzi Myung Kwon Cho 30-1
COMMENT: Maiden until May 19
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