Belmont Stakes Contenders: A Quick Guide

Use this quick and informative guide for a look at the field for the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I). It is compiled in post position order by Ron Mitchell, with analysis by Evan Hammonds. 

[image url="http://www.bloodhorse.com/images/content/MedalCountCD04232014AE298.jpg" alt="Medal Count" credit="Anne M. Eberhardt"]Medal Count

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MEDAL COUNT (20-1)

Bay colt, by Dynaformer—Brisquette, by Unbridled's Song

Owner: Spendthrift Farm

Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY)

Trainer: Dale Romans

Jockey: Robby Albarado

Race Record: 8 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds

Earnings: $261,100

Best Wins: Transylvania Stakes (gr. III)

Best Placings: 2nd Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I)

 

Trainer Dale Romans has sung the praises of this colt since last year, but the big colt has been unable to transform morning works to dirt form. He was moving well in Derby but was stopped cold in the stretch when Danza cut in front of him and finished eighth. Brings back-to-back bullet works with him to Belmont. Don't count on him being tired in the stretch; should relish the trip.

 

[image url="http://www.bloodhorse.com/images/content/CaliforniaChrome06042014_2RS298... alt="California Chrome" credit="Rick Samuels"]California Chrome at Belmont Park June 4.

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CALIFORNIA CHROME (3-5)

Chestnut colt, by Lucky Pulpit  —Love the Chase, by Not For Love  

Owners: Perry Martin and Steve Coburn

Breeders: Perry Martin and Steve Coburn (CA)

Trainer: Art Sherman

Jockey: Victor Espinoza

Race Record: 12 starts, 8 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds

Earnings: $3,452,650

Best Wins: Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), Preakness Stakes (gr. I), Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), San Felipe Stakes (gr. II), California Cup Derby, King Glorious Stakes, Graduation Stakes

 

Morning-line 3-5 favorite to become racing's 12th winner of the Triple Crown. Seems to have thrived in his near-three week stay at Belmont Park with assistant trainer Alan Sherman reporting the colt has gained weight throughout the run through the classics. Had an awesome work, :47 3/5 for a half-mile, a week before the Belmont. Perhaps only two runners to challenge him early in the 1 1/2-mile race; should turn for home with the lead.

 

[image url="http://www.bloodhorse.com/images/content/MatterhornCommissioner1Belmont0... alt="Matterhorn" credit="Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher"]Matterhorn at Belmont Park June 1.

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MATTERHORN (30-1)

Bay colt, by Tapit  —Winter Garden, by Roy

Owners: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Town and Country Farms

Breeder: Town and Country Farm Corp. (KY)

Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Jockey: Joe Bravo

Race Record: 4 starts, 1 win, 0 seconds, 1 third

Earnings: $62,102

Best Wins: Maiden Special Weight

 

Broke maiden in debut last November and was far back of eventual Florida Derby winner Constitution and Tonalist in '14 debut at Gulfstream. A $625,000 sale 2-year-old. Well beaten in the Peter Pan, finishing behind Tonalist and stablemate Commissioner. Trainer Todd Pletcher hoping colt will move up on a dry track.

 

[image url="http://www.bloodhorse.com/images/content/CommandingCurveBelmontPark06032... alt="Commanding Curve" credit="Rick Samuels"]Commanding Curve at Belmont Park June 3.

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COMMANDING CURVE (15-1)

Bay ridgling, by Master Command—Mother, by Lion Hearted  

Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds

Breeder: T. F. VanMeter (KY)

Trainer: Dallas Stewart

Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan

Race Record: 7 starts, 1 win, 2 seconds, 2 thirds

Earnings: $542,434

Best Wins: Maiden Special Weight

Best Placings: 2nd Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I); 3rd Louisiana Derby (gr. II)

 

Skipped Preakness after making big run in the Derby to finish second. Took four tries to break his maiden and has not won since, but prepped against top group in Louisiana over the winter. Worked a half-mile in :47 1/5 Sunday. He is a grandson of 1992 Belmont winner A.P. Indy out of a mare who missed a grade II-placing by a nose. The distance is the least of his problems; early pace will spell his fate.

 

[image url="http://www.bloodhorse.com/images/content/RideOnCurlin1Work01062014AE298.... alt="Ride On Curlin" credit="Anne M. Eberhardt"]Ride On Curlin at Belmont Park June 1.

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RIDE ON CURLIN (12-1)

Bay colt, by Curlin  —Magical Ride, by Storm Cat

Owner: Daniel J. Dougherty

Breeder: G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and Louise Ireland Humphrey Revocable Trust

Trainer: William G. Gowan

Jockey: John Velazquez

Race Record: 11 starts, 2 wins, 3 seconds, 4 thirds

Earnings: $714,687

Best Wins: $56,000 Allowance, Maiden Special Weight

Best Placings: 2nd Preakness Stakes (gr. I), Arkansas Derby (gr. I); 3rd Champagne Stakes (gr. I), Rebel Stakes (gr. II), Southwest Stakes (gr. III), Street Sense Stakes

 

Stabled in same barn as California Chrome and one who has gotten closest to him on the track this season, finishing 1 1/2 lengths behind him in the Preakness. One of three 3-year-olds to enter all three Triple Crown events, owner believes he's still 'fresh' because he didn't get chance to run much in the Derby. Has trained well and looks good at Belmont; appears to be biggest challenge to tarnish California Chrome's bid.

 

[image url="http://www.bloodhorse.com/images/content/MatuszakBelmontPark06042014RS29... alt="Matuszak" credit="Rick Samuels"]Matuszak at Belmont Park June 4.

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MATUSZAK (30-1)

Dark bay or brown colt, by Bernardini  —Golden Sonata, by Mr. Prospector

Owner: George J. Prussin

Breeder: Sha-Li Leasing Associates

Trainer: William Mott

Jockey: Mike Smith

Race Record: 8 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 1 third

Earnings: $78,643

Best Wins: Maiden Special Weight

Best Placings: 2nd Federico Tesio Stakes; 3rd Private Terms Stakes

 

Broke maiden in his debut last September at Churchill Downs and is winless in seven starts since. Off the board in two starts at the graded level. Well-bred colt has not run since finishing second to Kid Cruz in Federico Tesio Stakes April 19 at Pimlico (Kid Cruz ran eighth in the Preakness). Best angle is trainer Bill Mott.

 

[image url="http://www.bloodhorse.com/images/content/Samraat1BelmontPrep2014ACChelse... alt="Samraat" credit="Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand"]Samraat preps for the Belmont Stakes.

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SAMRAAT (20-1)

Dark bay or brown colt, by Noble Causeway  —Little Indian Girl, by Indian Charlie

Owner: My Meadowview Farm

Breeder: My Meadowview Farm (NY)

Trainer: Richard A. Violette Jr.

Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz

Race Record: 7 starts, 5 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds

Earnings: $833,200

Best Wins: Gotham Stakes (gr. III), Withers Stakes (gr. III), Damon Runyon Stakes

Best Placings: 2nd Twinspires.com Wood Memorial (gr. I)

 

Stepped out of New York-bred company to win Withers and Gotham Stakes. Fought hard, tired late in the Derby. Has running style to mix it up with California Chrome early, so he will get first run at him. Last pair of workouts have been at a mile to help him get the 12-furlong trip. The pride of New York.

 

[image url="http://www.bloodhorse.com/images/content/Commissioner2Belmont06012014ACS... alt="Commissioner" credit="Coglianese Photos/"]Commissioner at Belmont Park June 1.

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COMMISSIONER (20-1)

Bay colt, by A.P. Indy—Flaming Heart, by Touch Gold  

Owner: WinStar Farm

Breeder: WinStar Farm (KY)

Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Race Record: 7 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third

Earnings: $235,767

Best Wins: $75,000 Optional Claiming/Allowance

Best Placings: 2nd Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II); 3rd Sunland Derby (gr. III)

 

Shipped around the country on the Triple Crown trail seeking his spot and had his best run last time in the Peter Pan over a sloppy, sealed Belmont main track. By A.P. Indy, a Belmont winner, out of a mare by Touch Gold, a Belmont winner. Trainer Todd Pletcher has won Belmont twice and admits he's taking a shot here.

 

[image url="http://www.bloodhorse.com/images/content/WickedStrong1BelmontWork0106201... alt="Commissioner" credit="Anne M. Eberhardt"]Wicked Strong at Belmont Park June 1.

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WICKED STRONG (6-1)

Bay colt by Hard Spun  —Moyne Abbey, by Charismatic

Owner: Centennial Farms

Breeder: William F. Lynn (KY)

Trainer: James A. Jerkens

Jockey: Rajiv Maragh

Race Record: 7 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third

Earnings: $804,610

Best Wins: Twinspires.com Wood Memorial (gr. I)

Best Placings: 3rd Remsen Stakes (gr. II)

 

Late-running colt ran on well to close for fourth in the Derby and was impressive in winning the Wood by 3 1/2 lengths. Created some additional buzz after firing a bullet :59 for five furlongs Sunday. Broke his maiden over this track last October. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens is winning at a 36% clip at the meet. He will garner a lot of support from those in the know.

 

[image url="http://www.bloodhorse.com/images/content/GeneralARodWork04292014_3AE298.... alt="General a Rod" credit="Anne M. Eberhardt"]General a Rod at Churchill Downs.

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GENERAL A ROD (20-1)

Dark bay or brown colt, by Roman Ruler  —Dynamite Eyes, by Dynaformer

Owners: Starlight Racing and Skychai Racing

Breeder: Hare Forest Farm (KY)

Trainer: Michael J. Maker

Jockey: Rosie Napravnik

Race Record: 7 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third

Earnings: $372,200

Best Wins: Gulfstream Park Derby

Best Placings: 2nd Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth (gr. II); 3rd Besilu Stables Florida Derby (gr. I)

 

Finished 8 1/2 lengths behind California Chrome in the Derby and 8 lengths behind him in the Preakness. Has stout pedigree and can hang his hat on a pair of good efforts at Gulfstream in February and March when he was closer to the pace. It would take a dramatic reversal of form here to put him in the frame.

 

[image url="http://www.bloodhorse.com/images/content/Tonalist3Belmont06022014AE298.jpg" alt="Tonalist" credit="Anne M. Eberhardt"]Tonalist at Belmont Park June 2.

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TONALIST (8-1)

Bay colt, by Tapit  —Settling Mist, by Pleasant Colony

Owner: Robert S. Evans

Breeder: Woodslane Farm (KY)

Trainer: Christophe Clement

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Race Record: 4 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds

Earnings: $157,000

Best Wins: Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II)

Best Placings: 2nd $75,000 Optional Claiming/Allowance

 

Has shown brilliance but only has four starts under his belt. He was impressive in Peter Pan over the track, drawing off by four lengths. Big colt at 17 hands. Broodmare sire is stamina-laden Pleasant Colony, winner of Derby and Preakness in 1981 for owner's father, and broodmare is granddaughter of blue hen mare Toll Booth. He's the third choice on the morning line for a reason despite drawing outside post 11.