An 80-1 shot by Sonny Leon and coached by Eric Reed, Rich Strike held an angry and impossible rally to capture the 148th Kentucky Derby on May 7th. He wasn’t even in the field until another horse was drawn the day before. competition.
But after skipping the Preakness Stakes on May 21 and refusing a shot at the Triple Crown, Rich Strike will try to prove that his victory in the Derby at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday was no coincidence.
Belmont horses are ranked by post rankings with comments by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert from The New York Times. The morning ratio was determined by David Aragona of the New York Racing Association.
Purse: $ 1.5 million guaranteed Distance: 1½ mil
Track record: For a mile and a half, 2:24 (Secretariat, 1973); for one mile and eighth, 1: 45.40 (Secretariat, 1973)
Weight: 126 pounds
Post time: Saturday 6:44 pm East
How to watch: Coverage on Saturday begins at 15:00 Eastern Time on CNBC and will shift to NBC at 5 p.m.
Our choices
Joe Drape’s win-place-show options: Rich Strike, Mo Donegal, We Are Human
Melissa Hoppert’s choices: Mo Donegal, Creative Minister, We Are People
We see the field as follows:
1. We are the People
Trainer: Rodolf Brisset Jockey: Flavien Prat Rates: 2-1
Floor: This train usually has a high cruise speed that wins this race.
Hoppert: It was his third win in four starts as he rolled the wire through the door on Peter Pan in Belmont. Will anyone be able to catch it with the rain forecast?
2. Long socks
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. Jockey: Manny Franco Rates: 20-1
Floor: He is the slowest of the late runners in this field. Looking elsewhere.
Hoppert: At least one thing awaits the fifth-ranked Preakness finisher: the best name in the field after four dark colored legs or socks.
3. Nest
Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Jose Ortiz Rates: 8-1
Floor: This is a hard-working cat that does not allow us, the people, to go too far.
Hoppert: The Kentucky Oaks second won four of the six races and was bred for this marathon. Pletcher had previously won it in 2007 with Rags to Riches. Take your risk and keep it away from your exotics.
4. Rich Strike
Trainer: Erik Reid Jockey: Sonny Leon Rates: 7-2
Floor: The winner of the Surprise Derby trains like a wolf after skipping Preakness. He must run well.
Hoppert: He wants to prove himself here, and although distance is not an issue, he needs another perfect journey.
5. Minister of Creativity
Trainer: Kenny McPeek Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Rates: 6-1
Floor: It has the same tactical speed and we can push the people early.
Hoppert: The third-placed Preakness finisher hit the board in all four races that began in March. Undoubtedly, there is a lot of potential left.
6. Mo Doneqal
Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Rates: 5-2
Floor: Like Rich Strike, he needs to stay close to the pace for his late shot to have a chance at this slingshot.
Hoppert: He faced a bit of a traffic jam and finished fifth in the derby, losing his board for the first time in six races. Pletcher knows what it takes to win Belmont by winning three, and New York’s best jockey will keep him in the spotlight.
7. Golden Planer
Trainer: Mark Kasse Jockey: Dylan Davis Rates: 20-1
Floor: So far, he has not been good enough to beat his high-level peers.
Hoppert: Peter Pan was 10¼ behind the second We the People. To pass.
8. Hairdresser’s Way
Trainer: John Ortiz Jockey: Joel Rosario Rates: 10-1
Floor: This porridge is a serial check cashier and will be loaded at the end.
Hoppert: He made a problematic trip to the derby, but still managed to take sixth place. He takes Rosario, who will be sure to stay in the mix.