Belmont Stakes 146 by the numbers

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Here’s a look at the field for the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes. All horses will carry 126 pounds. Contenders are evaluated using proven handicapping methods used by horse racing experts.

The Field

1. Medal Count – Three-year old colt by Dynaformer has won three races including his maiden victory at Ellis Park. That race was originally scheduled for the turf but was moved to the main track. His sire is Dynaformer who raced primarily on turf and as such is known for his propensity for turf runners. Medal Count’s second win was over the grass at Gulfstream earlier this year. He recorded his third victory in the G3 Transylvania at Keeneland over the Polytrack – a race which was carded for the grass but moved to the main. It should be noted that some handicappers weigh turf and synthetic results the same or similar when handicapping the past performances of a runner. Running line comment for the Kentucky Derby indicates he was “shuffled early and checked at the 1/8th pole” – watch the replay. He skipped the Preakness and has three works spaced a week apart at Churchill on dirt –recording two bullet works at five and six furlongs. Trainer Dale Romans is just 8% in stakes races this year.

2. California Chrome – Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner has taken the game by storm and he’s the heavy favorite to win the Belmont and become the 12th Triple Crown winner. He’s a three year California bred colt by Lucky Pulpit and the grandson of Pulpit winner of 4 stakes races. Colt has won his last six races in a row. His final time in the Derby was slowest since 1974 recording a 97 Beyer. He returned home in the Preakness with fastest time since 2007 and recorded a 105 Beyer. He’s been doing light duty in the mornings and recorded only one published work since the Preakness but is reportedly primed for big effort. Polished and ready.

3. Matterhorn – Lightly raced colt by Tapit is trained by Todd Pletcher who campaigned three year old filly sensation Rags To Riches to victory over Curlin in the 2007 Belmont making her the first filly to win the Belmont in 106 years. In Matterhorn’s only graded stakes he finished fourth to Tonalist in the G2 Peter Pan at Belmont and has but one victory, a maiden score going a mile at Aqueduct. Stranger things have happened.

4. Commanding Curve – Colt by Master Command is grandson of 1992 Belmont winner A.P. Indy and the great grandson of Triple Crown winners Seattle Slew on his sires side and Secretariat on his dam’s side. Closed well at long odds in Kentucky Derby to run second beaten less than two lengths by Chrome. 1 for 7 in the winners circle and trainer Stewart is just 4% in graded stakes. Has shown flashes of speed but came from way back in Derby and appears to be the one-run type. Look for him late if at all.

5. Ride On Curlin – Son of 2007 Preakness winner and Belmont Stakes runner-up Curlin, this colt recorded his highest Beyer (103) in the Preakness finishing just a length and a half off Chrome. He’ll get his fifth change of rider in as many starts as Rosario sticks with Tonalist. He’s 9 for 11 in the money with two wins — a maiden victory at Ellis and a NW1X at Oaklawn going a mile. Trainer is 0 for 7 in stakes races. Worked once for this going 7f in 1:28 as a maintenance work. Get Johnny V. this time and will be coming late for a piece.

6. Matuszak – His lone win came in a maiden victory at Churchill last September. Colt is by 2006 Preakness winner Bernardini who’s win was marred by the career ending injury to heavy favorite Barbaro at the start of the race. Matuszak face Kid Cruz in his last two races in Maryland. The later came back to get beat soundly in the Preakness and is passing on the Belmont. Gets Mike Smith who won the 2010 Belmont aboard Drosselmeyer and again in 2013 aboard Palace Malice. Trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott he appears overmatched but if race falls apart upfront could grab a slice of the Super.

7. Samraat – New York bred colt started career with five wins in a row including a nice 6F win in his maiden start at Belmont. Has speed to lead this if not pressed by Tonalist but distance is a concern. He won the G3 Withers and Gotham over Aqueduct’s inner before a second place finish behind Wicked Strong in the G1 Wood Memorial. 5th in the Derby while racing wide and outside of eventual winner California Chrome and was outfinished by that one under young rider Ortiz. Skipped the Preakness Look for him to be in contention throughout and like that he has the win over the track but will probably be overtaken late for the runner up spots.

8. Commissioner – Son of Belmont winner A.P. Indy and grandson of Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew and Belmont winner Touch Gold on his dams side. Colt is trained by Todd Pletcher and exits the G2 Peter Pan here when recording his highest Beyer (96). In that race he chased the lone speed, Tonalist, around the track. Should be able to sit off the early leaders and be one of the on-the-board finishers in here.

9. Wicked Strong – Son of 2007 Belmont Stakes fourth place finisher Hard Spun has a different running style than his sire. Like that he broke his maiden here going one mile. His best race was a 104 Beyer in the Wood at Aqueduct. Came running late in the Kentucky Derby to finish fourth after stumbling at the start. Turned in a bullet going 5/8’s as a sharpener a week ago and has solid connections. Can get a piece if not the cash.

10. General A Rod – Two-time winning colt ran fourth in the Preakness and 11th in the Derby. Broke his maiden at Keeneland on Polytrack and his bloodline screams turf but can’t fault connections for persisting on the TC trail after his second place finish in the Fountain Of Youth and third place finish in the Florida Derby. However, he was soundly beaten in the Derby despite being steadied and in tight early. Not feeling him.

11. Tonalist – Son of Tapit could be the lone speed if they choose to let him set the pace. Got his maiden win at Gulfstream going 1 1/8 miles in his second lifetime start then followed that with a second place finish in a N1X optional claimer behind Florida Derby winner Constitution who was taken off the Derby trail after being injured. Won the G2 Peter Pan convincingly as the lone speed over a sloppy Belmont surface recording a 103 Beyer and is trained by legendary and future Hall of Fame trainer Christophe Clement who’s most notable for turf runners. Can rate of go but we predict he’ll be first or second down the backside and will give California Chrome all he can handle.