The Belmont Stakes is both the oldest and the longest race of the Triple Crown series. Inaugurated in 1867 and raced at 1.5 dirt miles, 12 furlongs, this is the 151st edition of the Belmont Stakes. Currently, the race is held annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The Belmont Stakes was first held at 2 prior tracks and there were 2 years it was outlawed. Through various tracks, distances, laws, sequential placement and purses, “The Run for the Carnations” remains as one of the most important Grade 1 American stakes races.
Traditions and trophies add to the thrills of the Belmont. Songs and drinks have come and gone like fashion. This year, the “Theme from New York, New York” will be played for the post parade as Belmont Jewels will pour forth from the bars. Dating back much further and continued now, the winning horse will be blanketed in white carnations while the connections are presented with the Belmont bowl trophy.
Now that you’ve been briefed on the basics, get to know the contenders! Ten 3 year olds have entered. One will be named champion! Here they are by post position/horse/jockey/trainer/owner/and morning-line odds:
- Joevia/Jose Lezcano/Gegory D. Sacco/Michael and Jeff Fazio/30-1
- Everfast/Luis Saez/Dale L. Romans/Calumet Farm/12-1
- Master Fencer/Julien R. Leparoux/Koichi Tsunoda/Katsumi Yoshizawa/8-1
- Tax/Irad Ortiz, Jr./Danny Gargan/R.a. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing Hugh Lynch and Corms Racing Stable/15-1
- Bourbon War/Mike E. Smith/Mark A. Hennig/Bourbon Lane Stable and Lake Star Stable/12-1
- Spinoff/Javier Castellano/Todd A. Pletcher/Wertheimer and Frere/15-1
- Sir Winston/Joel Rosario/Mark E. Casse/Tracy Farmer/12-1
- Intrepid Heart/John R. Velazquez/Todd A. Pletcher/Lawana L. and Robert E. Low/10-1
- War of Will/Tyler Gaffalione/Mark E. Casse/Gary Barber/2-1
- Tacitus/Jose L. Ortiz/William I. Mott/Juddmonte Farms, Inc./9-5
Keeping it brief, here’s more on the breeding and background of these 10 boys. By horse (state of breeding) sire-damn : (career entries-wins:2nds:3rds) and a bit more…
Joevia (KY) Shanghia Bobby – Peace Process : (5-2:2:0) … His 5 career starts are sandwiched between his 2 wins, one maiden and one black type. The middle of his career is the only time he raced outside of New York. He finished second twice and once first in black type stakes but was 11th in his only graded stakes entry. However, he is fast and he takes War of Will’s traditional Triple Crown post position also sharing his sire’s bloodline. War Front is Joevia’s damsire.
Everfast (KY) Take Charge Indy – Awesome Surprise : (11-1:2:1) … He has yet to win but his career starts boast 8 graded stakes. In his most recent race he was declared the second place finisher of the Preakness Stakes. Owner’s Calumet Farm have won the Belmont twice but that last occurred in 1948.
Master Fencer (JPN) Just A Way – Sexy Zamurai : (7-2:2:0) … His only start outside of Japan was the Kentucky Derby. He was ranked with a 6th place finish. He has rested since.
Tax (KY) Arch – Toll : (6-2:2:1) … This gelding has not raced since his 14th place finish in the KY Derby. Jockey, Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode Bourbon War in the Preakness. Ortiz won the Belmont in 2016. Tax has raced 3 times in New York.
Bourbon War (KY) Tapit – My Conquestadory : (6-2:1:0) … He is my favorite to win, having done well in graded stakes and as a thoroughbred I part owned in an earlier pinhook partnership. His last start was the Preakness when he finished 8th. I have high hopes that he can do better. Tapit bred colts have competed and finished in the top 3 in every Belmont Stakes running since 2014. Bourbon War’s new jockey, Smith, has won the Belmont 3 times!
Spinoff (KY) Hard Spun – Zaftig : (5-2:1:1) … Unraced since his 18th place finish in the KY Derby, he hopes for redemption. Spinoff has once raced and finished third in NY, at Saratoga. He is in good hands with his 3 time Belmont Stakes winning trainer, Pletcher.
Sir Winston (KY) Awesome Again – La Gran Bailadora : (9-2:1:1) … His damsire, Afleet Alex, won the Belmont Stakes in 2005. This is Sir Winston’s third NY start. He most recently finished 2nd in the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park. Jockey, Rosario, has won the Belmont Stakes before.
Intrepid Heart (KY) Tapit – Flaming Heart : (3-2:0:1) … This gray colt shares sire Tapit with Bourbon War and Tacitus. The damsire of Intrepid Heart, Touch Gold, won the Belmont Stakes in 1997. His last start was at Belmont Park. He was the Peter Pan’s 3rd place finisher. Intrepid Heart shares Belmont Stakes winning trainer, Pletcher, with Spinoff. His jockey, Velazquez, has won the Belmont Stakes twice.
War of Will (KY) War Front – Visions Of Clarity : (10-4:1:10) … This colt is the only contender to compete in all three legs of the Triple Crown. He trained and stabled at Keeneland after winning the Preakness. I had an opportunity to visit with him there and it is him in the pictures throughout this post. He shares trainer, Casse, with Sir Winston.
Tacitus (KY) Tapit – Close Hatches : (5-3:0:1) … This gray colt got his start racing at Belmont Park. He shares sire Tapit with Bourbon War and Intrepid Heart. In Tacitus’ last race he finished 3rd in the KY Derby. He is the current odds favorite to win. All of his connections, Ortiz, Mott, and Juddmonte, are Belmont Stakes winners.
In conclusion, the $1.5 million dollar, Grade 1, Belmont Stakes will post at 6:37 P.M. ET on Saturday, 6/8/19. It is the 11th race on a card of lucky 13. The first race of the day posts at 11:35 A.M. ET with the Acorn Stakes, for the fillies, posting at 3:22 P.M. ET. The card is packed with 10 graded stakes and millions in purse money. If you choose to catch the television coverage, look to NBCSN to broadcast the races from 2:30 P.M. to 4 P.M. ET. Then watch NBC from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M ET. I hope everyone is pleased with America’s Day at the Races!
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