Belmont Stakes Day is perhaps the biggest day of racing in the state of New York. There will be seven graded Stakes races run on the same card on which the final leg of the Triple Crown is contested. One of these Stakes is named for a trainer that set the standard for Belmont Stakes brilliance. Woody Stephens enjoyed a career conditioning Thoroughbreds that spanned seven decades. Yes, this Kentucky native won the Kentucky Derby twice (1974, 1984) and the Preakness once (1952), but he is best known for winning five consecutive runnings of the Belmont Stakes (1982-1986). The New York Racing Association renamed the Riva Ridge Stakes in his honor in 2006. A seven-furlong foray for three-year-olds, this edition of the Woody is loaded with speed and promises to be a great race for the speculating public. Packed with talent and carded as race 10, nine horses will compete for their share of $500,000 in this grade 1 event. The race is scheduled for June 6 with an expected post time of 4:52pm eastern. Let’s take a look at the entrants and provide a thought on each. The horses will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line.
1 Gilded Bandit
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Odds: 8-1
Two wins in three career stars with last victory coming in an allowance race on the Kentucky Derby undercard. His father, Charlatan, was super-fast. First start in Stakes company, but might have the stalking style to grab a piece of the pie in the end.
2 Obliteration
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: John Velazquez
Odds: 8-1
Most experienced runner in the group with nine career starts that includes four wins and four second place finishes. Was victorious in Chick Lang Stakes last out on the Preakness undercard. Another stalker that could lay slightly off the pace and then pounce. Has the jockey that knows how to win races like this.
3 Six Speed
Trainer: George Weaver
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Odds: 10-1
Set the early pace in the Kentucky Derby before fading to finish 13th. Has lots of early speed and often white smokes the tires right out of the starting gate. This son of Not This Time has been in the top three finishers in five of six lifetime starts and will look to take’em gate to wire. Think he likely gets caught against this group.
4 Stradale
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
Odds: 12-1
Two wins, two seconds, and two third place finishes in six career starts means he is in the mix at the end. His father, Yaupon, had speed to burn. Normally a pace stalker, the early speed in this one means he needs to lay relatively close. Perhaps in too deep of water here.
5 Solitude Dude
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Odds: 6-1
Four wins in five career starts and two for two at this distance means there is a lot to like about this speedster. Has won by large margins with a run’em off their feet approach out of the gates. Gets a top jockey, but if he does not make the early lead can he settle and still get it done? At 6-1 we say play him all day.
6 Crude Velocity
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Odds: 9-5
Unbeaten in three career starts with the latest coming in the Pat Day Mile on Kentucky Derby day. Stalked a solid early pace in that one and impressively ran past them all. Trained by one of the best at winning races like this and our top pick here.
7 Englishman
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Odds: 3-1
Very nice runner that has two wins and a second in three career starts. Lone defeat was last out when he set a more than solid early pace in the Pat Day Mile. His two wins were gate-to-wire and by a combined 14 ¾ lengths. He should be part of the early pace, but if he does not make the lead can he cope? Has a chance to be in top three but don’t think he wins against this group.
8 Civil Liberty
Trainer Doug O’Neill
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Odds: 10-1
Finished in top three in four of five career starts with one win. His victory came at this distance at Keeneland in his last start on April 12. Trainer has a way of pulling off the upset and this pace stalker has a chance. Needs to step up but his conditioner’s slogan is “why not us”.
9 Taj Mahal
Trainer: Brittany Russell
Jockey: Manny Franco
Odds: 15-1
Set the early pace in the Preakness before running out of gas and finishing a fading tenth. Enjoyed three consecutive wins in three career starts prior to that. From the outside post look for him to go and influence what could be some sizzling early fractions. He could be a factor, but don’t think he can be there at the end.