by Jeremy Plonk
June 17, 2020
The 2020 Triple Crown series kickoff officially lured 10 starters for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes as the field was drawn today. NYRA morning line maker David Aragona tabbed Tiz the Law, winner of the Florida Derby, the 6-5 favorite.
The complete field for the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes
#1 Tap It to Win (John Velazquez/Mark Casse) 6-1
#2 Sole Volante (Luca Pancici/Patrick Biancone) 9-2
#3 Max Player (Joel Rosario/Linda Rice) 15-1
#4 Modernist (Junior Alvarado/Bill Mott) 15-1
#5 Farmington Road (Javier Castellano/Todd Pletcher) 15-1
#6 Fore Left (Jose Ortiz/Doug O’Neill) 30-1
#7 Jungle Runner (Reylu Gutierrez/Steve Asmussen) 50-1
#8 Tiz the Law (Manny Franco/Barclay Tagg) 6-5
#9 Dr Post (Irad Ortiz Jr./Todd Pletcher) 5-1
#10 Pneumatic (Ricardo Santana Jr./Steve Asmussen) 8-1
Rapid Reaction
The one mile and one-eighth distance change in the Belmont Stakes means there will be an extreme run from the chute and down the backstretch before the one and only turn. There is four and one-half furlong expanse from the start into the far turn (literally half of this race), so every runner should have plenty of time to gain position. A horse wide on the turn will be there due to his own inability to secure position. Post positions should have no bearing on the turn.
Where post position could play some factor is the proximity of the expected pace players in accordance with one another. The eleventh hour inclusion of Fore Left should give presumptive pacesetter Tap It to Win some additional company on the front end. Tap It to Win was the speed and draws the rail. It’s a positive-enough draw given all factors, while Modernist and Pneumatic project to be in closest pursuit, perhaps along with Tiz the Law.
The 1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide update will be available for free download beginning Friday. The updated Guide will include the exclusive 1/ST INDEX percentages for each runner in the Belmont Stakes field, offer 1/ST INDEX Artificial Intelligence selections for the entire 12-race card and analysis from the likes of Eddie Olczyk, Brent Musburger, Jeff Siegel and more. To download the Guide, visit Xpressbet.com or 1st.com/bet.