When the 149th running of the Belmont Stakes goes down Saturday (6:47 p.m. ET post time, NBC), the field for the final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown will have neither the winner of the Kentucky Derby nor the Preakness Stakes winner.
Always Dreaming and Cloud Computing will not be contenders for a second jewel. Classic Empire, who finished fourth behind Always Dreaming in the Derby and second to Cloud Computing in the Preakness, had been the favorite before being scratched from the field because of a bad hoof.
That leaves Lookin at Lee, a surprise second at Churchill Downs and fourth at Pimlico, as the only horse to run in all three Triple Crown races in 2017. There are plenty of other familiar names to watch at Belmont Park, though. Here’s all the information you need to know before picking a horse in the 2017 Belmont Stakes:
Post positions, morning line odds for 2017 Belmont Stakes
Post – Horse – Odds
1. Twisted Tom 15/1
2. Tapwrit 6/1
3. Gormley 7/1
4. J Boys Echo 15/1
5. Hollywood Handsome 20/1
6. Lookin at Lee 5/1
7. Irish War Cry 3/1
8. Senior Investment 10/1
9. Meantime 15/1
10. Multiplier 12/1
11. Epicharis 7/2
12. Patch 15/1
Why is Irish War Cry the new Belmont Stakes favorite?
The Belmont Stakes is the longest of the Triple Crown races at 1 1/2 miles. Irish War Cry was a big disappointment in his first Group 1 test at the Kentucky Derby, fading to a 10th-place finish. But how he stayed with Always Dreaming up until the final two of 10 furlongs has encouraged trainer Graham Motion that his horse will be more relaxed to go the distance on Saturday. Given he won four of his first lesser-grade races, Irish War Cry, the favorite to win the Belmont, is leaning toward more boom than bust after the pressure of the Derby experience.
Why is Epicharis the Belmont Stakes newcomer to watch?
The Japanese-trained horse hasn’t run since March 25 at the UAE Derby, where he finished second. Before then, he won three consecutive races in his native country. He’s handled himself well in the jump from Group 3 to Group 2, making many in the sport believe he has a chance to make a huge leap at Belmont. Well-rested with plenty of speed, Epicharis is the biggest beneficiary of Classic Empire’s absence.
Can Lookin at Lee steal more than the show?
He matched Classic Empire’s Triple Crown resume in reverse order, and has arguably been the most consistent contender so far. The moment hasn’t been too big for the horse, and Lookin at Lee has looked great through some pre-Belmont practice runs. Keep in mind his trainer, Steve Asmussen, enjoyed victory in last year’s Belmont Stakes with 10/1 Creator.
What long-shot is a good Belmont Stakes bet?
The field is still loaded with Triple Crown experience despite the absences of Always Dreaming, Cloud Computing and Classic Empire. Tapwrit, who shares the same sire (Tapit) as Creator, also is trained by Todd Pletcher. Pletcher won the Derby with Always Dreaming, and has two recent winners at Belmont (Palace Malice in ’13, Rags to Riches in ’07). Tapwrit is a better flier than Pletcher’s other Saturday entry, Patch.
What’s been the most advantageous Belmont Stakes post position?
Creator made No. 13 very lucky last year, but since 2002, No. 11 has produced three winners outside. Team Epicharis should be well aware of that. No. 3, where Gormley will start, set up back-to-back winners in ’11 and ’12. No. 5 and No. 7 have also brought some good recent success, which should make Irish War Cry feel pretty good, too.
What’s the weather forecast for the 2017 Belmont Stakes?
It’s expected to be a high of 80 degrees in Elmont, N.Y., for race day with little chance for rain. There’s a 40-percent chance of scattered thunderstorms on Friday, but the turf is expected to be fast by Saturday with no mud issues.
Belmont Stakes 2017 predictions
Win: Epicharis
Place: Lookin at Lee
Show: Irish War Cry
