Belmont Stakes Field
Veteran horse handicapper Ed Sehon, who has been playing the ponies since 1962, weighs in on the Belmont Stakes field and some initial impressions of who could be a big factor on Saturday at Saratoga.
Be sure to check out all of our Belmont Stakes coverage for this upcoming weekend.
1. HILL ROAD (10-1)
Record: 5-2-0-2
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 94
Earnings: $336,496
Mr. Ed: Inside post might suit outsider. Winner of G3 Peter Pan Stakes has solid connections, steady works — and little chance of winning.
2. SOVEREIGNTY (2-1)
Record: 6-3-2-0
Trainer: William Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 105
Earnings: $3,672,800
Mr. Ed: Lots to like. Convincing winner of KY Derby and more than $3 million in purses. Excellent Mott entry skipped Preakness to be ready for another suitable mile-and-a-quarter test today. He has sloppy-track win over Journalism and Baeza while earning his highest speed figure (105). Crafty vet Junior Alvarado rides.
3. RODRIGUEZ (6-1)
Record: 5-2-2-1
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 101
Earnings: $522,800
Mr. Ed: West Coast bettors have a habit of backing speedy sophomores from Baffert barn — only to be left with a fistful of losing tickets. Not a win candidate, he might be worth including in exotic wagers.
4. UNCAGED (30-1)
Record: 4-2-0-0
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Luis Saez
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 84
Earnings: $105,450
Mr. Ed: Second Pletcher runner has win over sloppy Saratoga surface, but very little else, regardless of track condition. Too slow to keep up with others. Leave him caged.
5. CRUDO (15-1)
Record: 3-2-0-0
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: J.R. Velasquez
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 84
Earnings: $130,148
Mr. Ed: Speedy son of Triple Crown winner Justify has sharp connections of co-owner Bobby Flay, trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Johnny Velazquez. If you like to bet on longshots, I have the horse right here.
6. BAEZA (4-1)
Record: 5-1-2-1
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 103
Earnings: $648,500
Mr. Ed: Wise guy sports record of achievement, having banked a bundle. Impressive Preakness stretch run evidence of stamina needed to finish mile-and-a-quarter in front. Shopping for reasonable price? You’ve arrived at the right place.
7. JOURNALISM (8-5)
Record: 7-5-1-1
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 108
Earnings: $2,838,880
Mr. Ed: Expensive son of Curlin, deserving of morning line choice after troubled, thrilling Preakness stretch rally nails front-running longshot at wire. Punched his off-track ticket when second to Sovereignty in KY Derby. West Coast invader has won five of seven. Might run out of ink after two tough trips.
8. HEART OF HONOR (30-1)
Record: 7-2-4-0
Trainer: Jamie Osborne
Jockey: Saffie Osborne
Best Beyer Speed Figure: 86
Earnings: $400,919
Mr. Ed: Outsider appropriately draws outermost post. With only one dull U.S effort, I’m betting others have more heart — and will earn more honors.
