2015 Belmont Stakes Cheat Sheet

Level: Beginner

By Dana Byerly, Hello Race Fans Co-founder

2015 Belmont Stakes Replay

2015 Belmont Stakes Chart courtesy of our partners, Brisnet.com

Did you watch the Kentucky Derby and Preakness? Of course you did. Did you feel unprepared? We tried to help! Well, fret not, we’re here for you… again! Although we strongly suggest that you sign up for our Derby Prep Alert so you’re not so unprepared next year.

Here’s an overview of each of the 2015 Belmont Stakes contenders by post position. With seven of the eight starters having run in the Derby and/or Preakness, be sure to check our 2015 Kentucky Derby Cheat Sheet and 2015 Preakness Cheat Sheet for more back story.

1. Mubtaahij (10-1) – FOURTH – After finishing a non-threatening 8th in the Kentucky Derby, this Dubai invader shipped directly to Belmont Park where he’s been training ever since. His on-track appearances have been a mixed bag but his last work garnered rave reviews. To his advantage he seems to have taken to the Belmont surface and he has the running style that typically wins the Belmont. Worth consideration for your exotics.

2. Tale of Verve (15-1) – The unconventional move of using the Preakness as a prep for the Belmont Stakes worked out well considering this maiden winner came in a closing 2nd. He’s made a favorable impression training at Belmont but his come-from-behind running style doesn’t typically win the Belmont. That said, he appears to be improving at the right time and is worth consideration for your exotics.

3. Madefromlucky (12-1) – A poor workout kept this Pletcher trainee from the Kentucky Derby. Instead he went to the Grade 2 Pete Pan, where he won with relative ease. He finished a distant 2nd to American Pharoah in the Grade 2 Rebel back in March, and while he’s improved since then, so has the Derby & Preakness winner, along with most others in the field.

4. Frammento (30-1) – His trainer, Nick Zito, has pulled his share of Belmont upsets with longshots, but that may be the biggest thing he has going for him. His pedigree has some stamina influences but seems more geared towards a mile and his come-from-behind running style typically doesn’t fare well in the Belmont. On the bright side, if you like him (or Zito!), you should get a decent price.

5. American Pharoah (3-5) – WINNER – The Derby and Preakness winner has been training up a storm at Churchill, posting solid workouts and making a very favorable impression when galloping. It looks like he could get an uncontested lead, which puts in him a great position to carry his speed the 12 furlong distance, but a few of the fresh horses aiming to quash history do have a real pedigree edge. Is he the freak we’ve been waiting for? We’ll know soon enough!

6. Frosted (5-1) – PLACE (2nd) – The Grade 1 Wood Memorial winner put in a decent effort to finish 4th in the Kentucky Derby and possesses the kind of the running style that typically wins the Belmont Stakes. His pedigree is also well-suited for the distance, but even his trainer agrees that he’ll have to bring his A+ game to pull the upset here.

7. Keen Ice (20-1) – SHOW (3rd) – His 7th place finish in the Kentucky Derby was a decent effort, especially considering that he had to make room for himself before he could pass tiring foes. He’s got a decent pedigree for the distance and has been making a favorable appearance training at Churchill. He would make a nice addition to your exotic tickets.

8. Materiality (6-1) – Despite finishing 6th in the Kentucky Derby, this lightly raced Todd Pletcher trainee put in one of the better efforts. His prior three races had been won by getting the lead early, but he spent most of the Derby at the back of the pack and was one of the few passing tired foes at the end. In some respect he’s the key to the race as he can either press American Pharoah or stalk and presumably pounce. Either way, he’s got upset potential.

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