The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival runs from June 9 to June 11, highlighted by the 154th Belmont Stakes run on Saturday June 11 with Peter Pan Stakes winner We the People the morning line favorite in a field of eight. The weather is currently looking pretty good on Belmont Day, mostly cloudy with temperatures in the high 70's and no rain. Here are three of the Belmont Stakes entrants galloping on Friday morning.
Belmont Entries - With no Triple Crown on the line a small field of only 8 horses was entered this year with Peter Pan winner We the People the favorite at 2-1. Check out all the entries with full profiles and photos.
Analyzing the Belmont Stakes Contenders - Our annual analysis using popular angles and statistical trends to see who best matches the profile of a Belmont winner. This year the top horse isn't one of the colts but the lone filly!
Fillies in the Belmont - This year there will be a filly in the race, the 24th to try her luck against the boys and trained by Todd Pletcher who trained the last filly to win the Belmont Stakes. Check out the other 23 who tried and the 3 who won.
We the People galloped once around on Friday after schooling in the starting gate Thursday. Trainer Rodolphe Brisset said, “He's pretty chill for the gate. He's never had an issue with that. I was just hoping he didn't go too fast in his gallop. He's been [training] a mile for the past two days and today was very good. That's the usual for him. He'll gallop on Saturday morning. He's the kind of horse who needs to do something. The race is so late anyways. So, he'll gallop a little bit; likely on the main track."
Rich Strike had his final gallop in preparation for the Belmont, going 1 1/2 miles. He has routinely visited the main track via the Belmont paddock almost every morning since arriving last Wednesday. Reed said, “He galloped nice and easy and relaxed. I was worried that I hadn't trained him as much and that he was going to get to the paddock and be keyed up. Now I know he's level-headed and he's got his game face on. We're where we need to be and the way I wanted it to be. No more adjustments – I think it's up to the race now. He always tells if you if you haven't done enough. I would have had to train him harder today and gone back and schooled him today, but all we have to do now is keep him happy."
Creative Minister galloped once around on Friday. Trainer Ken McPeek said, "Sarava ran a similar pattern. He ran (in mid April at Keeneland), came back at Pimlico, and Belmont (Peter Pan). It's doable. I think especially with horses not running on Lasix in this day and age, I think it's a little easier on them too because the dehydration factor, that's not there. But he's a horse that's real sturdy, eats up really, really well. If he wasn't, we wouldn't be going. This is the probably the shortest odds horse I have run in a Triple Crown race in my career, at 6-1."
Belmont Stakes Poll
Who will win the 2022 Belmont Stakes?
2023 Triple Crown quick links:
Top Kentucky Derby Contenders - Check out all the top horses on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Each has a profile with a photo and lots of other info.
Kentucky Derby Winners and Auction Prices - Bigger may seem better, but in the case of Kentucky Derby horses who sold at auction, less is more. Here is a look at how (badly) high priced auction purchases have done in the Kentucky Derby and the auction prices for this year's top Derby horses.
2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby - All the point earning races on the Triple Crown Trail leading up to the Kentucky Derby with results and winners updated as they are run.
2023 Triple Crown Late Nominations - Sunland Derby (G3) winner Wild on Ice headlines the list of seven late Triple Crown nominations made eligible by a $6000 fee by the March 27 deadline.
Early Triple Crown Nominations - 312 horses where nominated by the early deadline of January 29 for the 2023 Triple Crown. Trainer Todd Pletcher nominated the most with 42 followed by Brad Cox with 26. Check out all the horses and free past performances from Equibase.
2023 Kentucky Derby And Oaks Security - New enhanced stricter rules with no onsite parking were enforced in 2018, and are in effect again this year. Be sure to read the rules if you are attending. There will still be magnetic wand searches of all patrons and many things are no longer allowed. Check here to make sure you don't bring anything they will confiscate.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager - This year there are 6 pools starting in November of 2022 plus a single pool for the Oaks.
Kentucky Derby Prep Races - What races should a horse prep in to win the Kentucky Derby? Some races may seem obvious, but have not produced a Derby winner in many years. Find out which races are the best preps here.
Kentucky Derby Winners and Auction Prices - Bigger may seem better, but in the case of Kentucky Derby horses who sold at auction, less is more. Here is a look at how (badly) high priced auction purchases have done in the Kentucky Derby and the auction prices for this year's top Derby contenders.
Kentucky Derby Traditions - Find out all about the big Derby Traditions: the rose garland, the trophy, the Twin Spires, mint juleps, singing "My Old Kentucy Home", fancy hats, celebrities and the annual Derby glasses.
Fillies in the Kentucky Derby - a look at the 39 fillies who have contested the Run for the Roses and how they did. So far there have been 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 5 thirds.
DRF Kentucky Derby Special - Lots of good info like past winners preps, contenders, past performances, and latest news.
Review: Kentucky Derby Greatest Moments - Commemorative DVD from Churchill Downs with video from 27 different runnings along with interviews, photos, and historical info. Definitely recommended for any racing fan!
Review: Churchill Downs - America's Most Historic Racetrack by Kimberly Gatto. An entertaining and informative account of the history of the track and it's most famous race, the Kentucky Derby, with lots of photos. Definitely recommended.
We the People galloped once around on Friday after schooling in the starting gate Thursday. Trainer Rodolphe Brisset said, “He's pretty chill for the gate. He's never had an issue with that. I was just hoping he didn't go too fast in his gallop. He's been [training] a mile for the past two days and today was very good. That's the usual for him. He'll gallop on Saturday morning. He's the kind of horse who needs to do something. The race is so late anyways. So, he'll gallop a little bit; likely on the main track."
Rich Strike had his final gallop in preparation for the Belmont, going 1 1/2 miles. He has routinely visited the main track via the Belmont paddock almost every morning since arriving last Wednesday. Reed said, “He galloped nice and easy and relaxed. I was worried that I hadn't trained him as much and that he was going to get to the paddock and be keyed up. Now I know he's level-headed and he's got his game face on. We're where we need to be and the way I wanted it to be. No more adjustments – I think it's up to the race now. He always tells if you if you haven't done enough. I would have had to train him harder today and gone back and schooled him today, but all we have to do now is keep him happy."
Creative Minister galloped once around on Friday. Trainer Ken McPeek said, "Sarava ran a similar pattern. He ran (in mid April at Keeneland), came back at Pimlico, and Belmont (Peter Pan). It's doable. I think especially with horses not running on Lasix in this day and age, I think it's a little easier on them too because the dehydration factor, that's not there. But he's a horse that's real sturdy, eats up really, really well. If he wasn't, we wouldn't be going. This is the probably the shortest odds horse I have run in a Triple Crown race in my career, at 6-1."
