2016 Belmont Stakes Horses and Possible Contenders

2016 Belmont Stakes Horses and Possible Contenders by Reinier Macatangay

“Wide open” best describes the upcoming 148th Belmont Stakes (GI) on Saturday.

With 13 hopeful 3-year-old horses set to run a marathon 1 1/2 mile distance, handicappers can only guess at the final outcome. Preakness Stakes (GI) champion Exaggerator is the favorite, but handicappers should also give careful consideration to the rest of the field. After all, who knows if Exaggerator will last the distance?

Here is the possible Belmont field in alphabetical order.

Brody’s Cause
(Giant’s Causeway – Sweet Breanna, by Sahm)

If the pace sets up for this Dale Romans-trained closer, expect a formidable late punch. The problem is, sometimes horses who lay so far back become too tired to kick in towards the end (ex. Dullahan in 2012).

Cherry Wine
(Paddy O’Prado – C.S. Royce, by Unbridled’s Song)

Like his stablemate Brody’s Cause, this one comes from behind. The main knock on him remains the same. Horses who start the Belmont double-digit lengths back tend to hang around there and never move.

Creator
(Tapit – Morena (PER), by Privately Held)

Ah, another closer who starts races from way back. The son of Tapit took advantage of a hot pace in the Arkansas Derby (GI), but never threatened during the Kentucky Derby (GI ) when 13th. Note the trouble encountered though.

Destin
(Giant’s Causeway – Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer)

This runner from the Todd Pletcher barn offers some speed. Pletcher, a trainer who oddly struggles in Triple Crown races, fares a little better in the Belmont than the other two legs. His “prep race” in the Derby will serve him well.

Exaggerator
(Curlin – Dawn Raid, by Vindication)

The son of Curlin continues to benefit from extreme pace situations. At some point, his luck will run out and the leaders will crawl. Trainer Keith Desormeaux praised his runner’s distance pedigree leading up to this race.

Forever d’Oro
(Medaglia d’Oro – Lemons Forever, by Lemon Drop Kid)

Few racing fans know much about him. The Dallas Stewart-trained colt broke his maiden at Belmont in his third attempt and offers positives through his pedigree as a son of 2006 Kentucky Oaks (GI) champion Lemons Forever.

Gettysburg
(Pioneerof the Nile – L.A. Devine, by Pulpit)

The recent transfer to the Steve Asmussen barn runs well on the lead, but his class is in question. He recently lost an allowance race at Belmont Park by over six lengths. At times, the Belmont will produce illogical winners.

Governor Malibu
(Malibu Moon – Akilina, by Langfuhr)

Jockey Joel Rosario and trainer Christophe Clement teamed together and won this race in 2014 with Tonalist. Like Tonalist, Governor Malibu had his prep race in the Peter Pan Stakes (GII), and finished well for a runner-up placing.

Lani
(Tapit – Heavenly Romance (JPN), Sunday Silence)

Japan’s Belmont hopeful gains in popularity each day. As with a couple of others, he lacks early speed and may flounder if 15-20 lengths off the pace early on, because the long distance sometimes nullifies the closing kick.

Seeking the Soul
(Perfect Soul (IRE) – Seeking the Title, by Seeking the Gold)

Oh no, another closer! Forever d’Oro’s stablemate also broke his maiden on the third try, and will need to step up his game to compete in a Grade I race now. Stewart is known for pulling off magic in the Triple Crown series.

Stradivari
(Medaglia d’Oro – Bending Strings, by American Chance)

Pletcher’s other Belmont contestant proved his talent when dominating a Keeneland allowance race by more than 14 lengths. Perhaps the Preakness came too soon, although he ran decently enough in his fourth-place finish.

Suddenbreakingnews
(Mineshaft – Uchitel, by Afleet Alex)

Followers point out this ridgling possesses more speed than most believe, and the switch to Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith can help. It is possible this horse is not fast enough, although the Belmont is a different kind of race.

Trojan Nation
(Street Cry (IRE) – Storm Song, by Summer Squall)

Despite finishing 16th in the Derby, the connections feel another shot at the Triple Crown series is in order. He began his race at Churchill Downs well back in 20th, and will need to show some tactical speed this time around.

The 148th Running of the Belmont Stakes takes place on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Belmont Park. Pre-race coverage begins at 3:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Coverage for the main event takes place from 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET. on NBC.

Related Links:
Belmont Park Activities on Belmont Stakes Weekend