Godolphin homebred Essential Quality, just a length from being undefeated in his career, drew post position two and was installed as the 2-1 morning line choice for Saturday's Belmont Stakes. Trained by Brad Cox, the 3-year-old son of Tapit suffered his first loss in six starts when fourth in the Kentucky Derby, but the juvenile champion and jockey Luis Saez are all set to return for the third jewel of the Triple Crown.
Preakness Stakes winner Rombauer returns for the Belmont, albeit with John Velazquez picking up the mount for trainer Michael McCarthy. Flavien Prat was aboard Rombauer for his victory at Pimlico, but Prat opted to remain with Derby third-place finisher Hot Rod Charlie (Doug O'Neill) for the Belmont Stakes.
Other Grade 1 winners in the Belmont field include Known Agenda (Florida Derby) and Rock Your World (Santa Anita Derby). Wood Memorial winner Bourbonic is back for the Belmont, as is the graded stakes-placed Overtook, both trained by Todd Pletcher.
The wildcard in the field remains France Go De Ina, the Japan-trained colt who ran seventh in the Preakness Stakes.
Another expected foreign entry, UAE Derby winner Rebel's Romance, was removed from consideration early Tuesday morning by trainer Charlie Appleby due to an infection in the colt's hind leg.
The full field for the Belmont Stakes is as follows:
- Bourbonic – Kendrick Carmouche, Todd Pletcher – 15/1
- Essential Quality – Luis Saez, Brad Cox – 2/1
- Rombauer – John Velazquez, Michael McCarthy – 3/1
- Hot Rod Charlie – Flavien Prat, Doug O'Neill – 7/2
- France Go De Ina – Ricardo Santana, Jr., Hideyuki Mori – 30/1
- Known Agenda – Irad Ortiz, Jr., Todd Pletcher – 6/1
- Rock Your World – Joel Rosario, John Sadler – 9/2
- Overtook – Manny Franco, Todd Pletcher – 20/1
The post Essential Quality Draws Post Two, Installed As 2-1 Favorite For Belmont Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
