Belmont Stakes 2017: Classic Empire Seeks Respect

By WIZCAPPER
Updated: June 3, 2017

The Belmont Stakes is only a week away. But it’s never too early to get the weather forecast for a big race like the Belmont. Especially if the forecast calls for rain.

According to weather.com, there’s a 60% chance of rain for Elmont, NY on June 10. Which for ordinary citizens and occasional horse racing fans, won’t mean much when it comes to picking winners on Belmont Day. But for serious handicappers and students of the game, it makes a world of difference come post time for the 2017 Belmont Stakes.

Classic Empire in a “New York State of Mind”

After missing the winner’s circle in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, the Juvenile Champion of 2016 will attempt to salvage what’s left of the series in the G1 Belmont on June 10.

To his credit, he looked like a winner with a 3 length lead turning for home in the Preakness only to succumb to the fresh legs of Cloud Computing in the final yards of the 1 3/16 mile distance.

But with the Belmont being 5/16 miles longer, and no shortage of challengers, he’ll need every bit of rest he can get before, during and after the race. And, which is why at 3/2 odds you’d be better off finding another set of fresh legs to go the distance.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the potential field for the Belmont:

Classic Empire – Gotta start with the “Champ” because he’s got the most to prove. As expected, he was on the pace in the Preakness and was game in defeat to a fresher Cloud Computing. He won’t have to face either of the winner’s of the Derby or Preakness. But expect him to have other fresh talent like Meantime to challenge him for the lead. Let’s see how he handles training over the Belmont surface before calling his number.
Senior Investment – He’s a deep closer so figure the added ground of the Belmont won’t matter to him. However, his early wins were at 1 1/16 miles or less which indicates he’s actually favors making one run into sprint type races. And to his demise we may find that he’ll be closer than he should be going longer.
J Boys Echo – Gotta believe this guy simply loved the inner at Aqueduct when he beat Preakness winner Cloud Computing in the G3 Gotham because when he returned in the Blue Grass to finish 4th a month later he didn’t perform like he should have over a track where he broke his maiden by 5+. Toss the Derby effort because of the off-track but still can’t see him winning this one.
Gormley – It’s fair to say that if he’s the best that the West Coast had to offer for this year’s TC, then the whole bunch of 2017 3YO’s are mediocre at best. Remember, there’s rain in the forecast for Belmont Day and this guy earned his highest BRIS speed figure going 1 mile in the G3 Sham to open the year. His Santa Anita Derby win was his best and you can toss the Derby effort as he had little chance to make a serious impact from the outside. He’ll be up close but distance may be too much for him.
Patch – He’s the one-eyed son of 2012 Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags and he’s a fresh horse having only 4 starts to date. Beat Meantime in a 1 mile maiden at Gulfstream and was 2nd in the G2 Louisiana Derby behind Girvin before being bet down to 14 to 1 in the Derby. Finished 14th from the 20 hole. Toss that one and consider that Pletcher must really like this guy and you could be looking at one of the top finishers in here.
Lookin At Lee – Was the beneficiary of a rail trip in the Derby to close out the exacta with Always Dreaming. And think it’s fair to say that he liked the mud that day, too. His style and lack of speed was not conducive to the surface at Pimlico. Hate that his only two wins came at Ellis but the fact that he’s been competitive in many of the graded stakes races along the Derby trail puts him in contention for another on the board finish. Especially if it comes up muddy.
Irap – When he sprung the upset as a maiden in the Blue Grass, he did it with Leparoux in the saddle. But he won’t have that luxury in the Belmont. However, he’s been competitive against this bunch over a FAST track and can see him tracking the pace in here. Pop won the BC Classic here in 2001. He’ll be a nice price and should be able to hang around late for a piece. Just wish he had Leparoux or one of the New York riders.
Meantime – Was second to Patch at 53 – 1 in maiden opener at Gulfstream in February which suggests they didn’t know what they had. Son of Shackleford out of a Mt. Livermore mare makes him a speed horse who favors off-going as evidenced by his 7 length maiden score going 1 1/8 at Keeneland in the mud. Returned in the slop at Belmont in the Peter Pan last time out and finished 2nd vs. 5 others. If it comes up muddy on Belmont Day he’ll be the one setting the pace. But can’t see him being around in the end if it’s fast.
Multiplier – Like the fact that he won the G3 Illinois Derby off a maiden score at Fair Grounds. And his Preakness wasn’t all that bad, finishing 6th in his first real test vs. his classmates. Still can’t see him taking much of a leap forward with so little experience.
Tapwrit – The Tampa Derby win put him in the spotlight as one of Pletcher’s early Derby hopefuls until he was soundly defeated in the Blue Grass. And as Always Dreaming continued to develop and win the Florida Derby to become Pletcher’s main threat in Louisville, this guy fell off the radar at 27 – 1 in Kentucky. But to be fair, he was slaughtered at the break in the Derby and still managed to finish a respectable 6th just 10 lengths behind his stablemate who will sit this one out. If he wins, he’ll be the third son of Tapit to take the third and longest leg of the Triple Crown over the past 4 years.
Twisted Tom – State bred started career on the lawn in New York before switching to top barn and the dirt to start the year. Son of 2012 TC contestant Creative Cause who couldn’t get it done vs. top caliber classmates I’ll Have Another, Bodemeister, and others. Took last three wearing blinkers for Brown but will face his toughest test yet.
Epicharis – Won first 4 in Japan to start career before just missing the UAE Derby to Thunder Snow who dwelt at the start over the sloppy surface in the Kentucky Derby. Oddsmakers have this guy as one of the favorites at 9 – 2 but it’s tough to come to America and go 1 1/2 miles against those with home field advantage. Lani made a decent showing last year in this race and this guy has a front-running style that will serve him well over Big Sandy. But can’t see him carrying the colors into the winner’s circle for Japan.