There is no Triple Crown on the line this year.
Regardless of that, the 156th edition of the Belmont Stakes is still generating a lot of interest.
Most of the Belmont buzz is due to the fact that the $2 million race on Saturday is being held for the first time ever at America’s Track– Saratoga Race Course.
The 2024 Belmont Stakes drew an extremely competitive field of ten 3-year-olds including Kentucky Derby Winner MYSTIK DAN as well as the Winner of the Preakness– SEIZE THE GREY.
This year’s Test of the Champion won’t require the same amount of stamina that previous Belmont Winners found necessary.
That’s because the dirt track at Saratoga is 1 1/8 miles in circumference, as opposed to 1 ½ miles at Belmont.
So, the Belmont at Saratoga will be held at 1 ¼ miles as opposed to 1 ½ miles at Belmont Park.
Here then is a brief look at the field:
1. SEIZE THE GREY [ML 8-1] Jockey: Jaime Torres. Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas.
2. RESILIENCE [ML 10-1] Jockey: Junior Alvarado. Trainer: Bill Mott.
3. MYSTIK DAN [ML 5-1] Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Trainer: Ken McPeek.
4. THE WINE STEWARD [ML 15-1] Jockey: Manny Franco. Trainer: Mike Maker.
5. ANTIQUARIAN [ML 12-1] Jockey: John Velazquez. Trainer: Todd Pletcher.
6. DORNOCH [ML 15-1] Jockey: Luis Saez. Trainer: Danny Gargan.
7. PROTECTIVE [ML 20-1] Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione. Trainer: Todd Pletcher.
8. HONOR MARIE [ML 12-1] Jockey: Florent Geroux. Trainer: Whit Beckman.
9. SIERRA LEONE [ML 9-5] Jockey: Flavien Prat. Trainer: Chad Brown.
10. MINDFRAME [ML 7-2] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Todd Pletcher.
The Belmont Stakes is slated as race 12 on a (very large) card of 14, with a scheduled Post Time of 6:40.
Best of luck no matter how you play it.
