Belmont Stakes Preview

Justify tries to become the 13th Triple Crown winner today at Belmont Park. Unlike the Derby and the Preakness, today’s weather in the New York area is supposed to be glorious. That means that the track should be fast and Justify will not be held back by the great equalizer of a muddy track. (I say “should” because I have seen the New York Racing Authority curiously overwater the track in preparation for some other Triple Crown contenders.)

Fast track or not, Justify will still be the odds on favorite simply because he is going for the Triple Crown. He certainly looked like a tired horse at the end of the Preakness and now he has to go for the full mile and a half at the Belmont. It will be a real challenge.

The only horses in the race that look to challenge Justify are Tenfold (10-1), Vino Rosso (8-1), and Blended Citizen (15-1). Bravazo and Hofburg may have lower odds than those three but I don’t think Bravazo can really go the distance despite his good Preakness showing and Hofburg’s inside post position may make things difficult for him.

The real play today, however, is to be a fan and root for the Triple Crown. Exacta box Justify with the field. If he wins, you’ll have a piece of history. If he’s upset, you just might be able to pocket a little change.