We definitely need a thread, we're only 12 days away. Here's some workout details of late:
On June 3, Max Player's solo breeze on the main track at Belmont Park went well, except for one glitch. David Grening clocked him in 13.13 and 25.49 through the first half-mile and got his last three furlongs in a nifty 35.36, for a final time of 1:00.85. Track clockers got him in 1:00.60. According to Grening, Max Player galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.38. There was a woops moment when the rider was unseated. Max Player ran off but was caught unscathed, and his rider wasn't hurt. Trainer Rice said there would be one more work before the Belmont Stakes. Dylan Davis is named to ride.
Tiz the Law breezed solo at Palm Meadows on May 31. He was shipped to New York the next day. After being timed in 48.20, he galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.60, according to Palm Meadows clocker Brian Walls. He was a bit wide in the gallop-out. There was a small amount of sweat on the right side of his neck. Video is here. More video here showing Tiz the Law picking 'em up and laying 'em down in the stretch while working in company on May 24, followed by a long gallop-out. On May 18, he went an easy four furlongs solo, and that video is here. On May 9 he breezed in company, video here. The workouts in company clearly show Tiz the Law being conditioned to come from off the pace, which is his preferred racing style.
On June 5, Gouverneur Morris breezed inside an unidentified workmate, again wearing blinkers, on a track rated good. He easily put away the workmate, who was no Dr Post, that much is sure. His gallop-out wasa just okay. Video is here. On May 29, Gouverneur Morris (outside) and Dr Post breezed in company, registering identical official times, at Palm Beach Downs. The 'Gouv' was sporting blinkers. Trainer Pletcher said afterward, "I can’t say I’ve seen a huge change with them." Pletcher also commented that Dr Post is training "lights out." Pletcher puts stock in workout gallop-outs, and Dr Post looked great. He clearly out-galloped Gouverneur Morris past the wire. Gouverneur Morris got a crack of the whip into the turn before falling further behind. Neck sweat was clearly visible on the right side of Dr Post, and on his left side there was a little bit.
Farmington Road breezed outside of an unnamed workmate at Palm Beach Downs on May 29. He was a half-length behind at the start of the video; overtook his mate on the turn; finished on even terms; and galloped out on even terms while being pushed a tiny bit in the turn by the rider. Video is here. On June 5, trainer Pletcher switched up and breezed Farmington Road and Dr Post (outside) in company. The track was rated good. Sweat can be observed on both sides of Dr Post's neck. Dr Post had clearly outworked Gouverneur Morris on May 29. As was the case with that workout, these two went together and registered identical times at the finish line. The two horses galloped out together, so I would grade these two better than Gouverneur Morris on this day. Video is here.
Modernist breezed outside Tacitus at Payson Park on May 28. They were given identical times. Tacitus was a little stronger in the gallop-out. After the work, trainer Mott expressed his satisfaction with the workout and indicated the Belmont Stakes is in his sights, but he did not commit.
On June 7, Ete Indien breezed solo on dirt at Palm Meadows, exhibiting his usual neck sweat. He does the same thing before racing. Early after he broke off, Ete Indien was a little headstrong before his rider briefly reined him back a couple of times. Afterward, he appeared to settle down. At the top of the stretch, he veered in a tiny bit as he changed leads and then straightened up nicely. He pricked his ears briefly at the finish line and mildly galloped out through the turn. He's entered to race in just three days. After noticing he was wearing front wraps, I checked on a couple of things (1) he hasn't raced with them, and (2) he was wearing them in the other workout we can view, the one described below on May 17.
Sole Volante breezed on June 7. He and Ete Indien also breezed on May 2. Trainer Biancone said they missed a work before May 29 due to weather. They breezed in company, so to speak, on May 17 on firm turf. They were very far apart on the track, so it might be more accurate to say they worked at the same time. Trainer Biancone often likes to have these horses gallop before breaking into their works. Ete Indien was credited with a slightly faster work.
I hate to even post this.....it's such a sad statement for racing. Below are the expected Belmont participants at this point with their off-shore odds:
Tiz the Law 5/2
Dr. Post 12-1
Sole Volante 15-1
Basin 17-1
Farmington Rd. 20-1
Goeveneur Morris 22-1
Max Player 24-1
Modernist 30-1
Wow, I thought there's be a few more.
I read somewhere one of them is still a maybe........... but I can't imagine a few more not coming. This is ridiculous. Most horse owners would have died to have an opportunity to run in the Belmont in past years. This year- it means very little.
well, it does make you think owners and trainers aren't seeing the Belmont as being part of a triple crown in the same way as past years for sure.
The latest on the runners (or not).......
June 9: Definite are Dr Post (Irad Ortiz Jr.), Farmington Road (Javier Castellano), Gouverneur Morris (unnamed), Max Player (Dylan Davis), Tap It to Win (John Velazquez), Tiz the Law (Manny Franco). Probable: Sole Volante (Luca Panici). Possible: Basin, Modernist, Pneumatic. Shivaree appears to be out of consideration.
Interesting...........
From 10 Belmont Stakes starters by Tapit in the last six years, three of them won, two finished second and two finished third. Specifically, Tonalist, Creator and Tapwrit took the honors in 2014, 2016 and 2017; Frosted ran second in 2015, Lani was third in 2016, Hofburg was third in 2018, and Tacitus was second in 2019.
The 2017 winner, Tapwrit, was the only son of Tapit in the race. The 2018 third finisher, Hofburg, was the only son of Tapit in the race. Momentum having built for sons of Tapit, in 2019 three of them were entered from 10 starters. Tacitus (second) ran very well, but Intrepid Heart (eighth) and Bourbon War (tenth) were beaten five and 12 lengths, respectively.
Lisa was saying that many of the Tapit's appear to have a stamina advantage, totally regardless of whatever the mares are bringing to the table. This seems like a huge anomaly but it's hard to argue against it based on what's been happening.
The only one on that field for the Belmont that I'm nervous about is Sole Volante. On one hand, I want to see him there, to see what he can do. He really is incredibly bred and arguably the finest horse on the field. On the other hand, his disadvantage in this race is staggering. It will be a monumental test for him against the speed of Tiz the Law and Tap it to Win. Hopefully he could pull off something here at this distance on that track. I just want to see the guy hoof to hoof with all of that speed down the stretch whether he wins or not. He just has to be there. For me, he's the only one that gives any excitement to the race this year.
There is no question about what a disappointment the Belmont Stakes is this year. I dont even think the Past Performance Sheets need to be looked at.
Those are the three that people are going to be watching for sure. I'm a little concerned about the short timeline for Sole Volante being wheeled back from the allowance race at Gulfstream so quick. If people have front runners they were thinking of entering, they might be deciding to give it a pass with Tap It To Win going so I'm not sure if there'll be a speed duel or not or whether Tap It can rate.
I agree that in terms of what we're used to the Belmont Stakes being, it's a huge let down. There are still a few good horses so hopefully it will be an informative race, at least in terms of a one-turn race at 1 1/8 miles. Argh.
Did you see Sole Volante's little allowance race yesterday at Gulfstream? He got paid for that 8f workout! He looked like a Champ coming down that stretch. This horse is really good and his breeding is spectacular. I just love those stamina driven geldings! This horse is a player.
Yeah, very nice run for him especially off something of a layoff. I also liked Shivaree's performance off a short layoff, wish he would rate a bit though.
Gouveneur Morris is going to the Blue Grass now, not the Belmont.....it was announced today.
I think Maxfield not being in the Blue Grass now will mean there are a few more entries.
You can watch the live Belmont post draw on Wednesday at noon right here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxRmRUB3kX-X-_9YsNFhq3g
Thanks, br172200
New, updated PP's for ALL horses nominated to the Triple Crown...............
https://cdi-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/sites/thetriplecrown.com/files/2020/triple_crown_pps.pdf
Basin is now definitely out of the Belmont...........
It looks like Sole Volante and Pnuematic are definitely in
Looks like 8 runners for sure, possibly 9.............
June 15:Dr Post (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher), Farmington Road (Javier Castellano, Todd Pletcher), Jungle Runner (Reylu Gutierrez, Steve Asmussen), Max Player (Joel Rosario, Linda Rice), Pneumatic (Ricardo Santana, Jr., Steve Asmussen),Sole Volante (Luca Panici, Patrick Biancone),Tap It to Win (John Velazquez, Mark Casse), Tiz the Law (Manny Franco. Barclay Tagg). Possible:Modernist (TBN, Bill Mott).
I'm trying to figure out what Jungle Runner is doing in there