Betting the 2020 Belmont Stakes is a bit different than past Triple Crown seasons. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the "Test of the Champion" has moved from the third jewel of the Triple Crown to the first. On top of that, the June 20 race has been shortened from its grueling 12-furlong length (1 1/2 miles) to nine furlongs (1 1/8 miles).
Those changes make this the toughest Belmont to bet. Thankfully, our horse racing analyst Monique Vag previews the Belmont Stakes 2020 horses and gives her predictions and picks, including her favorite trifecta for Saturday's "Run for the Carnations". **video
Belmont Stakes 2020 horses and predictions
1. Tap it To Win (Jockey: John Velazquez) - 6/1 odds
Just won on June 4 at Belmont Park, narrowly missing breaking a track record in a complete romp at the 1 1/16-mile distance. He's shown an affinity for racing one turn and in the Belmont Stakes, he looks to be the one controlling the speed on the front end. With no Charlatan to contest the pace, he looks like a likely pacesetter early on.
2. Sole Volante (Luca Panici) - 9/2
His first two races were contested on the turf, but since then he's tried his luck versus stakes company on the dirt. Through five career races, he's never finished off the board. He also enters after only 10 days away from racing where he recently worked out a closing effort to rally from last to first in a tough allowance field. He will likely be a factor closing late, but he would need honest, quick fractions up front early to get up in time. He looks to be one of only a few runners who could pose a threat to Tiz the Law.
3. Max Player (Joel Rosario) - 15/1
This is a big jockey upgrade from his two former pilots to Joel Rosario, who won the Belmont Stakes with Sir Winston last year. In the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, this runner angled outside and was able to sweep up in time after a five-wide rally. Unfortunately timing wise, this effort wasn't particularly strong and he didn't meet a very deep group. Although he does come in with two straight victories (only one at age three), he looks overmatched.
4. Modernist (Junior Alvarado) - 15/1
Won the Risen Star as a long shot and followed that victory with a third-place finish in the Louisiana Derby, beaten four and a quarter lengths. He will be looking to pressure the pace and be somewhere forwardly placed. With this horse's status up in the air for the Belmont Stakes, consider him as a fringe player at best to round out some of your superfecta bets.
5. Farmington Road (Javier Castellano) - 15/1
Does possess graded stakes experience, having raced in the Risen Star and Arkansas Derby. However, he only has one victory and that was versus maiden company on January 12. Stylistically, he's a deep closer and will appreciate racing the longest distance of his career in the Belmont Stakes and should relish the big sweeping turn at Belmont Park. He will be hoping for faster fractions up front and pace to help set up the race for a late closing rally.
6. Fore Left (Jose Ortiz) - 30/1
This horse was a late entry into the Belmont field, with trainer Doug O’Neill making it official on Tuesday. The one-year-old colt was the winner of the UAE Two Thousand Guineas back in February and has worked out twice at Belmont Park this month. The shorter 9-furlong format lends itself to his early speed and with Tap It To Win drawing the rail, Fore Left could be the pace setter out of the gate Saturday.
7. Jungle Runner (Reylu Gutierrez) - 50/1
Looked his best in his two-year-old campaign, ending the season strong after breaking his maiden then logging a victory versus stakes company. So far in 2020, he's yet to hit the board. Asking this horse to all of a sudden be that much better and find the Winner's Circle against a deep group after showing regressing form looks like a stretch. Pass.
8. Tiz the Law (Manny Franco) - 6/5
Four of five career victories up to this point, including victories in the Champagne Stakes, Holy Bull and Florida Derby in March. He's one of only four horses at age three to record a triple-digit Beyer Figure - 100 in the Florida Derby in March. Looks like he will be able to work out his preferred trip stalking and should be close to odds-on at post. Clearly the one to beat.
9. Dr Post (Irad Ortiz Jr.) - 5/1
Handled his first try racing at the route distance with a lot of success, opening up to a length-and-a-half victory. He landed in some traffic trouble late in the mile and was shuffled back. However, when he found racing room, this runner flaunted a nice late-closing kick in his first try versus winners. Although he has no graded-stakes tries under his belt, he does come in fresh off a victory in his most recent race.
10. Pneumatic (Ricardo Santana Jr.) - 6/1
Was a later consideration for the Belmont Stakes, however, it does appear trainer Steve Asmussen is sending him to New York. He's very lightly raced with only three starts under his belt, but he did look good in the Matt Winn Stakes after setting the pace early and hanging around for a third-place effort in his first try within the graded stakes ranks. He should continue to improve and his early running style could help him hit the board on June 20.
2020 Belmont Stakes trifecta pick
1. Tiz the Law
2. Sole Volante
3. Dr Post
