Open Extended Reactions: The 156th Belmont Stakes

The prestigious Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, is set to take place at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York, on Saturday, marking the 12th of 14 races scheduled at the venue.

What is the Belmont Stakes?

The Belmont Stakes is renowned as the concluding leg of the Triple Crown, a prestigious series of races reserved for three-year-old horses. The Triple Crown comprises the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.

This year’s Belmont Stakes will not witness a Triple Crown attempt, as Mystik Dan, the Kentucky Derby victor, was defeated by Seize the Grey in the Preakness.

This Year’s Story

For the first time since 2013, both the Kentucky Derby winner (Mystik Dan) and Preakness winner (Seize the Grey) will compete in the Belmont Stakes. That year, Preakness victor Oxbow finished second to Derby winner Palace Malice.

D. Wayne Lukas, Oxbow’s former trainer, aims to replicate his Preakness triumph and claim the Belmont Crown with his horse, Seize the Grey.

Seize the Grey’s Preakness victory marked Lukas’s seventh Preakness win, but he faces formidable competition from Mystik Dan and Kentucky Derby runner-up Sierra Leone, who holds the 9-5 morning line favor.

Last Year’s Belmont Stakes

Arcangelo edged out Forte by a length in the 2023 Belmont Stakes, making Jena Antonucci the first female trainer to guide a horse to victory in a Triple Crown race.

Arcangelo’s triumph came after a successful run in the Peter Pan Stakes, a race that Antiquarian attempts to replicate this year.

What’s New This Year?

Exceptional circumstances have prompted the Belmont Stakes to be relocated to Saratoga Race Course. The event is typically held at Belmont Park, but ongoing renovations and the demolition of the current grandstand have necessitated the change of venue.

The race will be run at a shorter distance this year due to Saratoga’s smaller track configuration. Instead of the customary 1½ miles, the Belmont Stakes will be 1¼ miles, matching the Kentucky Derby’s distance.

Contenders and Pretenders

Ten horses are set to compete in the 2023 Belmont Stakes, including Mystik Dan, Seize the Grey, and Sierra Leone.

• Seize the Grey (8-1): Preakness Stakes winner, known for its early lead and consistent performance.
• Resilience (10-1): Kentucky Derby participant, initially considered for shorter distances but entered the Belmont after impressive training sessions.
• Mystik Dan (5-1): Kentucky Derby winner, resilient despite concerns about quick turnaround after Preakness.
• The Wine Steward (15-1): New York-bred horse with consistent second-place finishes in graded stakes attempts.
• Antiquarian (12-1): Peter Pan Stakes winner, seeking to replicate his success against several competitors from that race.
• Dornoch (15-1): Kentucky Derby participant, seeking redemption after a disappointing race.
• Protective (20-1): Peter Pan Stakes participant, expected to be a long shot.
• Honor Marie (12-1): Kentucky Derby participant, aiming to improve upon an eighth-place finish.
• Sierra Leone (9-5): Kentucky Derby runner-up, replacing jockey for Belmont.
• Mindframe (7-2): Lightly raced colt, seeking to capitalize on impressive allowance race win.

Bets to Make

Katherine Terrell’s Picks

• To win: Resilience
• Exacta: Resilience over Sierra Leone
• Trifecta: Resilience // Sierra Leone // Mystik Dan, Protective, Seize the Grey

Anita Marks’ Picks

• Exacta: 2, 9, 10 (Resilience, Sierra Leone, Mindframe)