Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will break from the fourth gate in this weekend's Belmont Stakes and was assigned morning line odds of 7-2. We The People, breaking from the rail, is the morning line favorite at 2-1.
The complete starting order:
- We The People, Flavien Prat, 2-1
- Skippylongstocking, Manuel Franco, 20-1
- Nest, Jose Ortiz, 8-1
- Rich Strike, Sonny Leon, 7-2
- Creative Minister, Brian Hernandez Jr., 6-1
- Mo Donegal, Irad Ortiz Jr., 5-2
- Golden Glider, Dylan Davis, 20-1
- Barber Road, Joel Rosario, 10-1
Fan favorite Rich Strike has been the focus of media coverage at Belmont Park throughout recent days, as he has stretched his legs in trademark long gallops since his arrival in New York on June 1.
Trainer Eric Reed gave a brief interview with NYRA television analyst Andy Serling just after the draw and discussed race strategy. Reed acknowledged there is considerably less pace in the Belmont than there was in the Kentucky Derby, but does not expect that to be a major problem for the deep-closing chestnut.
“He's still probably going to drop back; that's just his style of running,” said Reed on Tuesday morning. “I don't think he'll drop back nearly as far [as the Derby] and I think turning for home if he's close enough he'll have a real good shot at it. It's definitely not a race where you want to come from way, way back. We've tried a couple times to get him going early and it didn't work. Unless he changes his strategy, he's going to have to try to run the same kind of race.”
Rich Strike trainer, Eric Reed chats with @andyserling post draw
pic.twitter.com/KhITAl9qJJ
— Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) June 7, 2022
Favored We The People will come to the race after a win in the Grade 3 Peter Pan and the rail position will give rider Flavien Prat options.
“He doesn't have to [go to the front]” said trainer Rodolphe Brisset when asked by Serling about strategy. “But we've got to play the break and go from there. That's not my job. Flavien knows what to do.”
Brisset says based on the gallop out following the Peter Pan, he feels good about his horse's chances over a longer distance.
Morning line favorite, We the People drew PP 1 for the #BelmontStakes! Hear what trainer @BrissetRodolphe has to say post draw… pic.twitter.com/Fl60YAeCxj
— Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) June 7, 2022
The post Rich Strike Draws Post Four, Set At 7-2 For Saturday’s Belmont; We The People Favored appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
