Mile-and-a-Half Stakes Have Been Pletcher's Forte

Trainer Woody Stephens' dominance of the Belmont Stakes (G1) in the 1980s may never be matched. The Hall of Famer reeled off an unprecedented five straight wins from 1982-86 in the Test of the Champion, a mark that has stood for more than three decades and seems safe for at least another three.

In terms of volume, trainer Todd Pletcher could match Stephens this weekend when he sends out the two betting favorites in the June 10 edition of the $1.5 million stakes at Belmont Park, Forte  (5-2) and Tapit Trice  (3-1). One of them could provide the sport's all-time leader in earnings with a fifth Belmont win. Not in succession, yet enough to match Stephens' quintet and lift Pletcher into a tie with him for fourth on the all-time list of Belmont wins.

It could also mark the continuation of a successful formula and give him back-to-back wins in the final leg of the Triple Crown.

All of Pletcher's four Belmont victories have a common thread. Each of them—the filly Rags to Riches (2007), Palace Malice   (2013), Tapwrit   (2017), and Mo Donegal  —raced on Kentucky Derby weekend, took five weeks off and then recorded a victory at his home track.

This year's candidate to follow that formula is Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Tapit Trice, a son of Tapit   owned by Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable.

The Hall of Famer will also send out 2-year-old champion Forte, who was supposed to run in the Kentucky Derby (G1) but was scratched the day of the race due to a hoof bruise and has not raced since April 1. So, it's grade 1 winner Tapit Trice, who was unplaced in the Run for the Roses—just like Palace Malice  , Tapwrit  , and Mo Donegal  —and heads into the Belmont with the magic number of five weeks of rest.

"I think being based here in New York and training over the track probably doesn't hurt," Pletcher said about his success in the Belmont. "Having horses that are suited for a mile and a half helps, and for whatever reason I think our program builds good results for these types of races."

Aside from his four wins, Pletcher has also racked up seven runner-up finishes, highlighted last year when he ran 1-2 with Mo Donegal and the filly Nest .

Stephens pulled off a similar feat during his streak when he registered a 1-2 finish with Crème Fraiche and Stephan's Odyssey in 1985.

Overall, Pletcher owns a 4-7-2 mark from 35 Belmont starters.

For all of his success in the Belmont, Pletcher's strong hand in marathon races is not limited to the final jewel of the Triple Crown. He has also won Belmont's mile-and-a-half Brooklyn Stakes (G2) three times since 2015 and the 1 3/4-mile Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga Race Course four times since 2014.

"We get a foundation into our horses and that helps, but you need the right horses," Pletcher said. "You don't want one that is rank or headstrong. I think both Tapit Trice and Forte fit (the right) profile."