Il Miracolo Owner Takes 'Gamble' in Belmont

Saying the June 10 Belmont Stakes (G1) presents "perhaps a one-in-a-lifetime chance and I love to gamble," owner Eduardo Soto expressed excitement to start longshot Il Miracolo  after the race's draw for post positions at Belmont Park June 6.

The 3-year-old is 2-3-0 in 10 starts but has not finished better than fifth in five prior stakes attempts, suggesting he could start higher than his morning-line odds of 30-1 in the 1 1/2-mile third leg of the Triple Crown. Most recently, the Antonio Sano trainee was a front-running 1 3/4-length winner of a one-mile allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park May 11 against far easier competition.

"I think he's a late-developing animal," Soto said. "I think we've had a little bit of bad luck up until the last race. He's training lights out. He's bred for the distance and I think if we have a little luck, we may be there."

The Willow Oaks Stable-bred colt is one of two sons of Gun Runner   in the Belmont field along with Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Red Route One . Out of the graded-placed Tapit   mare Tapit's World , Il Miracolo was a $70,000 purchase by his owner from the De Meric Sales consignment to the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale last year.

Il Miracolo's two victories have come in frontrunning fashion, though he was outpaced in his stakes attempts, twice finishing well behind Belmont Stakes favorite Forte  in the March 4 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and April 1 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream. Il Miracolo started at respective odds of 103-1 and 98-1 in those races.

Sarava in 2002 is the biggest upsetter in Belmont Stakes history, winning the race at 70-1.

Watch: Soto Eager for Il Miracolo's Belmont Stakes Opportunity

"We need to keep him interested," Soto said of his 3-year-old, who will have Florida-based jockey Marcos Meneses back aboard for the Belmont. "That's why we put the blinkers on him (two) races back because he seemed to be a little distracted looking at everything around him. He's still very young, but he is developing quite nicely. I think we're going to hear a lot from him, God willing, in the future."

Il Miracolo and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner National Treasure  are the only horses in the Belmont field that have gone to the early lead in any of their starts.