After winning two of the three legs of the Triple Crown one starts to wonder whether Justify is just that good.
After an arduous three and a half months since breaking his maiden on February 18th, can he go the whole hog and become the 13th horse to win the Triple Crown?
And then just like magic rain starts creeping into the weather forecast, putting an end to all doubt.
His biggest asset is his tactical speed that allows him to make the lead or stalk just off the early pace. He should do well against the tight field.
Hofburg certainly has his work cut out for him. Although he should not struggle with the added ground, his running style perhaps hasn’t been as successful in the various editions of the Belmont Stakes. The Tapit colt is Juddmonte’s entry in the Belmont Stakes.
Bravazo is another interesting kettle of fish, the only runner outside of Justify to compete in all three legs of the 2018 Triple Crown. He enters the Belmont in solid form after a 97 BRIS speed rating in the Preakness where he missed by just half a length.
Gronkowski for his name alone and his quality trainer should make it to the top of the favourites. The son of Lonhro gets Lasix for at Belmont and attracts the services of Jose Ortiz.
Tenfold is complete wildcard who can potentially give Justify a big run for his money. This lightly raced colt ran well in the Preakness after a dull effort in the Arkansas Derby in mid-April. The son of Curlin has trained very well at Churchill over the past couple of weeks.
The other well-liked horse in the mix is Todd Pletcher trained, Vino Rosso. The US$410,000 Keeneland September 2016 purchase should have no problem with the added ground, but the question is whether he is good enough.
Click Here To Watch Belmont Stakes Race 2017
1stTapwrit(T. Pletcher,J. Ortiz), 2nd Irish War Cry(H. Motion,R. Maragh), 3rd Patch(T. Pletcher,J. Velazquez), 4th Gormley( J. Shirreffs,V. Espinoza), 5th Senior Investment(K. McPeek,C. Hill), 6th Twisted Tom(C. Brown,J. Castellano), 7th Lookin At Lee(S. Asmussen,I. Ortiz, Jr.), 8th Meantime(B. Lynch,M. Smith), 9th J Boys Echo(D. Romans,R. Albarado), 10th Multiplier(B. Walsh,J. Rosario), 11th Hollywood Handsome (D. Stewart,F. Geroux)
1.Justify( B. Baffert,M. Smith), 2.Free Drop Billy(D. Romans,R. Albarado), 3.Bravazo (D. Lukas,L. Saez), 4.Hofburg (W. Mott,I. Ortiz, Jr.), 5.Restoring Hope(B. Baffert,F. Geroux), 6.Gronkowski(C. Brown,J. Ortiz), 7.Tenfold(S. Asmussen,R. Santana, Jr.), 8.Vino Rosso(T. Pletcher,J. Velazquez), 9.Noble Indy(T. Pletcher,J. Castellano), 10.Blended Citizen (D. O'Neill,K. Frey)
Distance:1½ miles (12 furlongs), Record:2:24, Secretariat (1973), Surface:Dirt, Track:Left-handed, Qualification:3-year-olds, Weight:Colt/Gelding: 126 pounds (57 kg), Filly: 121 pounds (55 kg), Purse:US$1.5 million 1st: $800,000
Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretaristworld.com