Belmont Stakes: Rich Strike Returns, We The People Favored

There are 13 races on the Saturday card at Belmont Park. The loaded cards features 9 consecutive stakes capped with the Belmont Stakes.

Full Belmont Stakes Analysis

1. WE THE PEOPLE (2-1) was installed as the morning line favorite in the race off an impressive victory. This field isn’t the best we’ve seen in the Belmont, but these are better than the last group. There is a chance that this one ends up lone speed which could be dangerous even if the distance is a bit too far. 1st and 2nd Key
2. SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING (20-1) is a Saffie Joseph trainee and he just doesn’t seem to fire outside of Florida. Toss
3. NEST (8-1) is a Todd Pletcher trainee and the lone girl amongst the boys. She is a bit light on figures, but should be stalking and feels like the type that could be in the mix late. Pletcher doesn’t usually take these shots so maybe he senses weakness. Use
4. RICH STRIKE (7-2) returns after the stunning upset in the Kentucky Derby. This horse likes to come from the very back of the pack and I just don’t think there’s enough pace to run at. I didn’t even consider him in the Derby and it took an absolute dream setup to win. Toss
5. CREATIVE MINISTER (6-1) rounded out the trifecta in the Preakness and is a progressive type that may be rounding into form. This one feels like he could be getting better at the right time and should be in a better spot than the deep closers as they turn for home. Use
6. MO DONEGAL (5-2) was the heralded closer in the Derby. The problem with that race was that it set up perfectly for him and he couldn’t capitalize. The talent is undeniable, but it is hard to reconcile what we saw in the Derby. 2nd and 3rd Key
7. GOLDEN GLIDER (20-1) is yet another runner who likes to come from behind and seems far too light against this group in terms of speed figures. Toss
8. BARBER ROAD (10-1) was a “wise guy” horse into the Derby and didn’t do much. I think this one may try to get a bit closer in the early stages. This one is tough because I think the current price is about right, but this one always seems to take money. 2nd and 3rd Key

Betting News will post a full betting strategy for the Belmont Stakes on Friday, June 10th at 2 pm Eastern.

Full Belmont Stakes Card Analysis

Belmont Park Race 1

Post: 11:20 AM ET; Purse: $80,000 Allowance, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #7 WIN FOR GOLD (2-1) has a great shot in the race given the speed & pace numbers.
• #2 QUICKFLASH (8-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
• #3 MY LAST MISSION (10-1) should be part of the early mix and has a solid shot to outrun the odds.
• #4 SAFALOW'S MISSION (5-1) has to be respected based on the connections.

Selections: 7-2-3-4

Belmont Park Race 2

Post: 11:55 AM ET; Purse: $92,000 Allowance, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 9

• #1A BRIGHT FUTURE (2-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers.
• #6 THREE JOKERS (4-1) should relish the mile distance and gets Luis Saez in the saddle.
• #8 HIGHER QUALITY (9-2) is worth a look here given edges in connections & record at the distance.
• #3 SET SAIL (7-2) may end up as the pace setter here and gets Rosario aboard.

Selections: 1A-6-8-3

Belmont Park Race 3

Post: 12:33 PM ET; Purse: $500,000 Acorn S., 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 5

• #5 ECHO ZULU (3-5) looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #4 MATAREYA (6-5) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & form.
• #2 INVENTING (20-1) has to be respected based on the connections. This is the kind that can make the shorter prices on top bearable.
• #3 DIVINE HUNTRESS (12-1) seems like an underneath type with a great run getting her into the bottom of a trifecta.

Selections: 5-4-2-3

Belmont Park Race 4

Post: 1:08 PM ET; Purse: $500,000 Longines Just a Game S., 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 5

• #3 SPEAK OF THE DEVIL (1-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions. Chad Brown has his top rider on here.
• #1 LEGGS GALORE (12-1) looks like a strong prospect edging the field in several key handicapping factors including record at the distance & form. This is the lone non-Chad Brown horse to crack my top 4.
• #2 REGAL GLORY (6-5) has a great shot in the race given the speed & class. Brown goes to third call Jose Ortiz here.
• #4 IN ITALIAN (9-2) is trained by, you guessed it, Chad Brown. Irad was once his top call rider, but the decision by Prat to head east has changed that.

Selections: 3-1-2-4

Belmont Park Race 5

Post: 1:47 PM ET; Purse: $400,000 Brooklyn S., 1 1/2 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 FIRST CONSTITUTION (9-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's record at the distance & early pace. This may be just a bit far to carry that though.
• #7 FEARLESS (3-1) has been a favorite of mine since he was a 2 year old at Gulfstream. He hasn’t lived up to what I wanted him to be, but he should be solid here.
• #1 LONE ROCK (2-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & power rating.
• #3 WARRANT (3-1) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.

Selections: 5-7-1-3

Belmont Park Race 6

Post: 2:22 PM ET; Purse: $400,000 Woody Stephens S. Presented by Mohegan Sun, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 JACK CHRISTOPHER (1-2) looks like a strong prospect edging the field in several key handicapping factors including record at the distance & form. One of the biggest travesties of the year was that we missed the chance to see him on the Derby trail.
• #3 WIT (7-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & record at the distance.
• #2 PAPPACAP (10-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & power rating.
• #4 MORELLO (9-2) was my Kentucky Derby pick until he got sidelined following a horrible race in the final New York prep of the year. I still think this horse could become a productive runner through the summer.

Selections: 1-3-2-4

Belmont Park Race 7

Post: 3:05 PM ET; Purse: $500,000 Ogden Phipps S., 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 5

This may be the race I’m most excited to watch as fan. The field isn’t very big, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality. There may not be 2 or 3 other horses that could even compete with these in the country.

• #1 LETRUSKA (6-5) has to be respected today edging the field in several key handicapping factors including class & form.
• #3 MALATHAAT (5-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including power rating. Pletcher turns to his old first call rider Johnny Velazquez in this spot.
• #4 CLAIRIERE (3-1) is a major player based on speed figures.
• #5 SEARCH RESULTS (9-2) has to be respected based on the connections.

Selections: 1-3-4-5

Belmont Park Race 8

Post: 3:53 PM ET; Purse: $400,000 Jaipur S., 6 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 13

• #3 TRUE VALOUR (12-1) draws well and could be in a prime spot throughout the run of the race.
• #13 GREGORIAN CHANT (8-1) has won turf stakes, but they were all out at the rock hard Santa Anita turf course. The outside post did this one little favor, but the odds seem generous for a horse with obvious talent.
• #5 ARREST ME RED (5-2) enters a turf sprint for Wesley Ward. Irad is aboard and was recently named as Ward’s go to rider at the prestigious Royal Ascot meet.
• #12 GEAR JOCKEY (6-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & pace. The wide post is tough give how this one will want to run though.

Selections: 3-13-5-12

Belmont Park Race 9

Post: 4:43 PM ET; Purse: $1,000,000 Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan H., 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 5

The Met Mile looks like a true heavyweight showdown in 2022 and could be one of the most exciting races on the Belmont Stakes card.

• #2 SPEAKER'S CORNER (8-5) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & form.
• #1 FLIGHTLINE (3-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed. This one has been one of the most visually impressive horses of the year, but the price will be too short to play in the win pool.
• #3 ALOHA WEST (6-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
• #4 HAPPY SAVER (8-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's stamina & connections.

Selections: 2-1-3-4

Belmont Park Race 10

Post: 5:38 PM ET; Purse: $750,000 Resorts World Casino Manhattan S., 1 1/4 Miles on Turf; Entries: 10

• #2 GUFO (3-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & power rating.
• #10 CHANNEL MAKER (8-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & record at the distance.
• #9 SANTIN (7-2) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.
• #6 ROCKEMPEROR (10-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & pace.

Selections: 2-10-9-6

Belmont Park Race 11- Belmont Stakes

Post: 6:44 PM ET; Purse: $1,500,000 Belmont S. Presented by NYRA Bets, 1 1/2 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 8

• Belmont Stakes full analysis provided above.

Selections: 6-3-5-1

Belmont Park Race 12

Post: 7:29 PM ET; Purse: $55,000 Maiden Claiming, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 12

• #12 NORTH CAROLINA (9-5) is in with a great chance based on the horse's stamina & pedigree.
• #8 AL'S ROCKET (2-1) has to be respected based on the connections.
• #7 FLOKI'S FLIGHT (5-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers.
• #9 CHEEKY TICO (15-1) goes out for the Noda barn who will enlist the services of Luis Saez in this spot.

Selections: 12-8-7-9

Belmont Park Race 13

Post: 8:05 PM ET; Purse: $80,000 Allowance, 6 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 16

• #5 NO PAYNE (10-1) has to be respected based on the connections.
• #12 PALACE GOSSIP (3-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & power rating.
• #7 HAPPY HILL LIL (10-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & form.
• #3 BLAME IT ON MARY (12-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & pace.

Selections: 5-12-7-3

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