ELMONT, N.Y. - While there's no Triple Crown on the line in Saturday's Belmont Stakes, there's no shortage ofintriguing storylines associated with the154th running of the "Test of Champions."
And none is more compelling thanthe rags-to-riches tale of Rich Strike, who stunned the Kentucky Derby field at 81-1 with an epic late surge. After bypassing the Preakness, Rich Strike, a talented closer, isthird choice in the morning line heading into the grueling1-1/2 mile race.
"Just an incredible ride, as you can imagine if you are around horses at all, or even if you're not around horses, from where we were," said Rick Dawson, who claimed Rich Strike for $30,000 last September.
"When the bell rings it's up to (jockey) Sonny (Leon) to get him the right spot and see if we can't get him home."
Rich Strike rallied from 17th to win the Run for the Roseswith a dramatic stretch drive.
“I don’t think the pace will be as fast," said Eric Reed, Rich Strike's trainer, reference the torrid early fractions in the Kentucky Derby. "He still probably will drop back, I don’t think he’ll drop back near as far. And turning for home if he’s close enough he’ll have a really good shot at it, but it is definitely not a race where you want to come from way, way back."
The morning line favorite, however, is We the People,installed as the 2-1 choice off an impressive win in the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park.
"He's 3-for-4, he's won by 10lengths, and he's been here training very well," said trainer Rudolphe Briset. "I was actually thinking he would be the second choice.
"The way he galloped out last time, it’s always a question mark, but based on what we saw last time, and what (jockey) Flavien (Prat) said to me afterthe race, we are hoping he is going to be OK at a mile-and-1/2."
The second choice is the Todd Pletcher-trained Mo Donegal, at 5-2 after closing to finish fifth in the Kentucky Derby. Pletcher, who has won the Belmont Stakes threetimes, also has the filly Nest, 8-1 in the morning line.
"I thought (Mo Donegal) ran a very credible race in the Derby," Pletcher said. "He was still closing at the end. Unfortunately, he drew the one hole, he didn’t break well andwe dropped back and were 19th going into the first turn, ahead of eventual winner, and ended up having to go a little wide. But what I liked is he kept running to wire and kept finding a little more."
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It was 15 years ago that Pletcher won the Belmont Stakes with Rags to Riches, the last filly to win it.
"I think (Nest) has the right disposition for it and has given us every indication that she is doing very well," Pletcher said.
Coverage from Belmont Park Saturday begins from 3-5 p.m. on CNBC, before moving to NBC from 5-7 p.m. Post time for the Belmont Stakes is set for approximately 6:49 p.m.
Here are the eight entrants for this year's Belmont Stakes, with post positions and morning line odds:
1. We the People 2-1
Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset.
Jockey: Flavien Prat.
Turned in a sizzling performance in the Grade 3 Peter Pan at Belmont on May 14, winning by 10 1/4 lengths, with a Beyer Speed Figure of 103, best of any contender and second fastest among 3-year-olds this year. It also came on a sloppy track, with rain a possibility in the Saturday forecast. That performance came after disappointing seventh in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.
2. Skippylongstocking 20-1
Trainer: Saffie Joseph.
Jockey: Junior Alvarado.
Battled wide the entire trip in the Preakness before finishing fifth. Placed third in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, beaten 3 3/4 lengths by Mo Donegal. A son of Exagerator, who won the Preakness and Haskell in the slop. So if it’s an off track, look out.
3. Nest 8-1
Trainer: Todd Pletcher.
Jockey:Jose Ortiz.
This late-charging filly rallied for second behind Secret Oak in the Kentucky Oaks. That came after a dominating performance in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland, drawing off to win by 8 1/4 lengths. Has never missed the board in six career starts. A daughter of Curling, who finished second in the 2007 Belmont, and won a pair of Grade 1 races at Belmont.
4. Rich Strike 7/2
Trainer: Eric Reed.
Jockey: Sonny Leon.
Pulled off one of the biggest upsets in racing history by winning the Kentucky Derby at 81-1. A colt that was claimed for $30,000 last September at Churchill Downs, breaking its maiden by 17 1/4 lengths, rallied from far back to nail Epicenter with a dramatic move along the inside. Closed for third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park two starts back. Should benefit from the added distance.
5. Creative Minister 6-1
Trainer: Ken McPeek.
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Ran third in the Preakness, beaten 3 1/2 lengths by Early Voting, tabbed with a 100 Beyer Speed Figure at 10-1. That came after an allowance win at Churchill Down on Derby Day for the closer, bred to go distances.
6. Mo Donegal 5/2
Trainer: Todd Pletcher.
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Had a terrible trip in the Kentucky Derby, battling wide the entire race before digging in late to grab fifth. Had never been off the board in five previous career starts, including a win over Preakness winner Early Voting in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, and a win over Zandon, third in the Derby, in the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct.
7. Golden Glider 20-1
Trainer: Mark Casse.
Jockey: Dylan Davis.
Secured a spot in the starting gate with a second-place finish in the Grade 3 Peter Pan at Belmont on May 14, although that was 10 1/4 lengths behind We the People. Ran fourth in the Grade 2 Blue Grass at Keeneland two starts back after pressing the pace. Golden Glider’s sire, Ghostzapper, was 5-for-5 at Belmont Park, closing his career with a win in the Metropolitan Handicap.
8. Barber Road 10-1
Trainer: John Ortiz.
Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez.
Finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby at 60-1, beaten less than five lengths by Rich Strike, one of a host of closers who benefitted from a torrid early pace. Ran second behind Cyberknife in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, and ran a close third, a nose behind Ethereal Road, in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn.
