Loading ...Jun 18 2020
Belmont Stakes Field Set at 10 with surprise entry. Thursday Precap.
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Wednesday, June 17 2020. The Belmont Stakes post draw was held today and the field increased back to 10 with the surprise entry of Fore Left by Doug O’neill for Reddam Racing. Tiz the Law is favored as deserved and expected, with Sole Volante, Dr Post and Tap It To Win competing for 2nd choice honors. Here’s how the post draw shaped up:
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Meet the field and connections for this year’s Belmont Stakes before any race day scratches:
| Post | Horse | Odds | Style | Sire | Trainer | Jockey |
| 1 | Tap It To Win | 6 | EP6 | Tapit | Casse Mark | John Velazquez |
| 2 | Sole Volante | 4.5 | S0 | Karakontie | Biancone Patrick | Luca Panici |
| 3 | Max Player | 15 | P3 | Honor Code | Rice Linda | Joel Rosario |
| 4 | Modernist | 15 | EP5 | Uncle Mo | Mott Bill | Junior Alvarado |
| 5 | Farmington Road | 15 | S0 | Quality Road | Pletcher Todd | Javier Castellano |
| 6 | Fore Left | 30 | E7 | Twirling Candy | Doug O’neill | Jose Ortiz |
| 7 | Jungle Runner | 50 | P0 | Candy Ride | Asmussen Steve | Reylu Gutierrez |
| 8 | Tiz The Law | 1.2 | EP5 | Constitution | Tagg Barclay | Manny Franco |
| 9 | Dr Post | 5 | P5 | Quality Road | Pletcher Todd | Irad Ortiz Jr |
| 10 | Pneumatic | 8 | EP5 | Uncle Mo | Asmussen Steve | Ricardo Santana Jr |
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The addition of Fore Left is interesting because it changes the dynamic of the race by adding a front runner to the early speed scenario. Whereas before, Tap It To Win was about to have it his own way up front, now it looks like he’ll have at least one that’s not just chasing him around waiting for him to tire. Doug O is probably thinking Fore Left can set a sleeper lead.  Get the Grid here to follow along:
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Tiz the Law’s chances of winning aren’t impacted much and he will likely be 2 lengths behind the leader as usual, in perfect striking position. His post draw of 8 is likely more of a problem since 2-3 midpack runners could stack up inside and push him wide, but he should be in good shape and deliver his usual strong closing kick. The Sackatoga / Barclay Tagg trainee is top in Power and 2nd in LP, and leads in Kentucky Derby Points.
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Whenever you add a front runner to the mix, it can only help the plodders and other late runners. In this case, Patrick Biancone and Reeves Racing had to be happy to see the addition, since Sole Volante is the big closer in the field, with top LP and Stamina ratings as well as 2nd in Power in the Grid. With a legit pace up front he’s very dangerous, and they had to be even happier with the 2 post to save ground.
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Farmington Road is another one that should benefit and Pletcher was no doubt also happy to see some speed added to the field. He made good on early runners in the Oaklawn Stakes for a strong 2nd, but flattened last out in the Arkansas Derby, likely because he was up too close too early to a heated pace set by Nadal. I would expect Javier to correct that issue this time and just let him plod early as usual.
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The versatile Max Player has found himself in mid pack not far behind the lead the past couple races, both wins, but neither contest had anywhere near a fast pace. He’ll probably be content to sit in 7th early, ahead of the 3 late runners and not too far from midpack. Linda Rice won’t be having Rosario send him towards the lead before half a mile in.
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The most negatively affected by the added speedster is Tap It To Win, whose 3 races at a mile or more have resulted in two last place finishes, and the win last out where he was able to get the early lead. Pneumatic and Modernist could also be adversely affected since they run close to the lead, and with the outside post for Pneumatic he may be sent up close early.
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So the predictions for final finishing order have changed from last time we posted them.
Tiz the Law 6-5
Sole Volante 9-2
Max Player 15-1
Dr Post 5-1
Tap It To Win 6-1
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The weather outlook for this week is for a slight chance of rain but no major precipitation is on schedule, so weather should not be much of a factor and the track should be very fast and play well to late runners. Remember this year the Stakes is only 9f so it’s like a typical Kentucky Derby prep.
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