This year’s Belmont Stakes will be different than any other, with a new date, distance, and track regulations, but it will still draw the attention of sports fans from across the nation as well as some of the best 3-year-old Thoroughbreds in the country. Read on for facts and figures on Saturday’s race at Belmont Park.
Factor This ‘A More Mature Horse,’ Takes On Field Of 10 Others In G2 Wise Dan
Gaining Ground Racing's three-time stakes winner Factor This will lead a field of 11 older horses that entered Saturday's 31st running of the $200,000 Wise Dan presented by Ford (Grade II) at Churchill Downs.
The 1 1/8-mile Wise Dan, run on the Matt Winn Turf Course, will share the spotlight Saturday with the $100,000 Audubon presented by TwinSpires.com, a 1 1/8 miles turf test for 3-year-olds. The Wise Dan was carded as Race 9, while the Audubon will go as Race 6. First post is 1 p.m. (all times Eastern).
Factor This, a previous $62,500 claim in 2018, has won five races with trainer Brad Cox, including back-to-back stakes victories in the $150,000 Fair Grounds (GIII) and $300,000 Muniz Memorial (GII). The 5-year-old son of The Factor has been working consistently over the turf course at Churchill Downs with his pilot Shaun Bridgmohan aboard.
“He just looks like a more mature horse this year,” said Bridgmohan, following his half-mile move in :47.60 on June 7. “He's filled out and really gained a lot of size. Even from the Fair Grounds this winter he looks bigger here at Churchill.”
Factor This will try for his 10th career victory from post position No. 3.
Chief among the other rivals to Factor This is Live Oak Plantation's 2019 Wise Dan hero March to the Arch. Trained by Mark Casse, March to the Arch began his 2020 campaign with a victory in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf at Gulfstream Park and back-to-back third-place finishes in the $175,000 Tampa Bay (GIII) and $100,000 Appleton (GIII). March to the Arch traveled to California for his last start in the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile (GI) but finished a disappointing 10th. Florent Geroux will be in the irons for the Wise Dan from post 7.
The complete field for the Wise Dan from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Just Howard (Rafael Bejarano, Graham Motion); English Bee (James Graham, Motion); Factor This (Bridgmohan, Cox); Eons (Adam Beschizza, Arnaud Delacour); Aquaphobia (Corey Lanerie, Mike Maker); Ritzy A.P. (Declan Cannon, Jack Sisterson); March to the Arch (Geroux, Casse); Emmaus (IRE) (Brian Hernandez, Connor Murphy); Casa Creed (Martin Garcia, Bill Mott); Hembree (Gerardo Corrales, Maker); and Parlor (Tyler Gaffalione, Maker).
The early National Weather Service forecast for Louisville calls for mostly sunny skies with highs in the low 90s.
For complimentary Brisnet past performances, visit www.churchilldowns.com/handicapping
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Tiz The Law Draws Post Eight, Installed As 6-5 Morning Line Favorite For Belmont Stakes
Florida Derby winner Tiz the Law drew post eight of ten for Saturday's Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, the first race of the 2020 Triple Crown season due to rescheduling caused by the global coronavirus pandemic. To be held over a shortened distance of nine furlongs, the Belmont will be run without spectators or owners in attendance.
Trained by Barclay Tagg and ridden by Manny Franco, Tiz the Law was installed as the 6-5 morning line favorite for the Belmont. The Sackatoga Stable-owned colt will be vying to take his connections on another whirlwind trip through the Triple Crown series, echoing their ride with Funny Cide in 2003.
Second choice at odds of 9-2 is Sole Volante, recent allowance winner at Gulfstream Park who will be running off just 10 days rest on Saturday. Trained by Patrick Biancone, the late-running son of Karakontie won the G3 Sam Davis at Tampa earlier this year, and will leave from post position two under jockey Luca Panici.
Unbridled Stakes winner Dr Post comes in as the 5-1 third choice for trainer Todd Pletcher, and will leave the gate from stall nine. Champion jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. will partner the Quality Road colt.
Tap It To Win drew the inside post and will be fourth choice at 6-1 on the morning line. Trained by Mark Casse, the recent allowance winner will get the services of jockey John Velazquez as he takes a major step up in class.
The entire field for the 2020 Belmont Stakes is as follows:
- Tap It To Win (Velazquez, Casse) 6-1
- Sole Volante (Panici, Biancone) 9-2
- Max Player (Rosario, Rice) 15-1
- Modernist (Alvarado, Mott) 15-1
- Farmington Road (Castellano, Pletcher) 15-1
- Fore Left (J. Ortiz, O'Neill) 30-1
- Jungle Runner (Gutierrez, Asmussen) 50-1
- Tiz the Law (Franco, Tagg) 9-5
- Dr Post (I. Ortiz, Pletcher) 5-1
- Pneumatic (Santana, Asmussen) 8-1
The post Tiz The Law Draws Post Eight, Installed As 6-5 Morning Line Favorite For Belmont Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
BHA Shortens Declarations to 48-Hour Window
All flat races will return to 48-hour declarations from Wednesday, June 24, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Wednesday. Declarations to run on June 24 must be made by 10 a.m. on June 22. For jumps racing, 48-hour declarations have also been put in place beginning on Wednesday, July 1, so declarations must be made by June 29. Due to the coronavirus, declarations had previously been required 72 hours before a race.
The BHA’s statement read in part, “This change is only possible due to the support of trainers and other raceday attendees in supplying accurate and timely information to support the new and revised safety and infection control protocols, including the medical screening.
“We ask that you continue to support this effort as we return to 48hr declarations, so that the system can work smoothly and efficiently.”
There will still be additional information required of trainers after declarations have closed, including the Online Transport and Declaration Form, as specified in the BHA’s COVID-19 guidelines and operating procedures. For more information please go to www.britishhorseracing.com.
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