Picking the Winners in the Belmont Stakes

Rich Strike, the 80-1 shot ridden by Sonny Leon and skilled by Eric Reed, mounted a livid and unbelievable rally to seize the 148th Kentucky Derby on May 7. He was not even in the area till one other horse was scratched the day earlier than the race.

But after skipping the Preakness Stakes on May 21, forgoing a shot at the Triple Crown, Rich Strike will look to show in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday that his Derby win was no fluke.

The Belmont horses are listed in order of put up place, with feedback by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. The morning-line odds have been set by David Aragona of the New York Racing Association.

Purse: $1.5 million assured Distance: 1½ miles

Track report: For a mile and a half, 2:24 (Secretariat, 1973); for a mile and an eighth, 1:45.40 (Secretariat, 1973)

Weight: 126 kilos

Post time: Saturday at 6:44 p.m. Eastern

How to look at: Coverage on Saturday begins on CNBC at 3 p.m., Eastern time, and strikes to NBC at 5 p.m. Coverage will even be streamed on NBCSports.com.

Our Picks

Joe Drape’s win-place-show picks: Rich Strike, Mo Donegal, We the People

Melissa Hoppert’s picks: Mo Donegal, Creative Minister, We the People

Here’s how we see the area:

1. We the People

Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset Jockey: Flavien Prat Odds: 2-1

Drape: This colt possesses the excessive cruising pace that often wins this race.

Hoppert: His gate-to-wire romp on an off observe in the Peter Pan at Belmont was his fourth win in three begins. With rain in the forecast, will anybody be capable of catch him?

2. Skippylongstocking

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. Jockey: Manny Franco Odds: 20-1

Drape: Of the late runners in this area, he’s the slowest. Looking elsewhere.

Hoppert: The fifth-place Preakness finisher has not less than one factor going for him: the greatest identify in the area after his 4 dark-colored legs, or stockings.

3. Nest

Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Jose Ortiz Odds: 8-1

Drape: This is a hard-trying filly who won’t let We the People get too removed from her.

Hoppert: The Kentucky Oaks runner-up has received 4 of six races and is bred for this marathon race. Pletcher has received it earlier than with a filly, in 2007 with Rags to Riches. Leave her off your exotics at your personal threat.

4. Rich Strike

Trainer: Eric Reed Jockey: Sonny Leon Odds: 7-2

Drape: The shock Derby winner is coaching like a monster after skipping the Preakness. He ought to run effectively.

Hoppert: He is out to show himself right here, and whereas the distance shouldn’t be a difficulty, he’d want one other excellent journey.

5. Creative Minister

Trainer: Kenny McPeek Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Odds: 6-1

Drape: This colt has tactical pace and should push We the People early.

Hoppert: The third-place Preakness finisher has hit the board in all 4 of his races starting along with his March debut. Surely there’s plenty of potential left.

6. Mo Donegal

Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Odds: 5-2

Drape: Like Rich Strike, this colt wants to remain near the tempo for his late kick to have an opportunity.

Hoppert: He bumped into some visitors and completed fifth in the Derby, his first time lacking the board in six races. Pletcher is aware of what it takes to win the Belmont, having received three, and the prime jockey in New York could have him inside placing vary.

7. Golden Glider

Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Dylan Davis Odds: 20-1

Drape: So far, he has not been ok to beat his high-end friends.

Hoppert: The Peter Pan runner-up completed 10¼ lengths behind We the People. Pass.

8. Barber Road

Trainer: John Ortiz Jockey: Joel Rosario Odds: 10-1

Drape: This colt is a constant check-casher and will likely be charging at the finish.

Hoppert: He had a troubled journey in the Derby however nonetheless was in a position to muster a sixth-place end. He picks up Rosario, who will be certain he stays in the combine.