2013 Belmont Stakes Cheat Sheet

Level: Beginner

By Dana Byerly, Hello Race Fans Co-founder

2013 Belmont Stakes Replay

2013 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 2013 Belmont Stakes contenders by post position. With 10 of the 14 starters having run in the Derby or the Preakness, be sure to check our 2013 Kentucky Derby Cheat Sheet and 2013 Preakness Cheat Sheet for more back story.

1. Frac Daddy (30-1) – This surprise, last-minute addition to the field was never in contention in the Derby, in which he raced towards the back of the pack and finished 16th. Trainer Ken McPeek’s strategy is “send him” to be up near the lead, which may not be a bad idea if you consider that his best efforts have been from stalking the pace.

2. Freedom Child (8-1) – A gate mishap in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial left this frontrunner far behind the field, costing him all chance at the race and at making it to the Kentucky Derby, but he went on to win the Grade 2 Peter Pan at Belmont Park, going wire to wire in the slop on an uncontested lead. Between the Peter Pan and his positive impression in the mornings, he’s turned into a wise-guy horse, but this “need to lead” type is facing a tougher, more accomplished field here.

3. Overanalyze (12-1) – Had a breakthrough race in the Arkansas Derby but ran mid-pack for the entire Kentucky Derby. He skipped the Preakness and has been training well, but he’s not exactly bred for the distance.

4. Giant Finish (30-1) – Given his late addition to the Kentucky Derby, he didn’t perform all that badly given his lack of preparation. His pedigree doesn’t scream “The Test of the Champion,” but he did pass tired horses for a 10th place Kentucky Derby finish.

5. Orb (3-1) – SHOW (3rd) – Was the Kentucky Derby winner’s non-effort in the Preakness a fluke, a product of his position or some combination? We’ll never know. By all accounts, he came out of the Preakness in good order and is certainly bred for the distance. He’s also got a more suitable post position this time around.

6. Incognito (20-1) – – FOURTH – On racing experience alone this son of 1992 Belmont Stakes winner A.P. Indy looks like an easy toss, but trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is taking a shot based on his incredibly promising pedigree for the distance. If nothing else he might be interesting in your exotic wagers.

7. Oxbow (5-1) – PLACE (2ND) – The Preakness winner finally put it all together on the big stage by pulling a front-running upset. Some think he “got away with an easy pace,” but he put in a solid effort and was the best that day. He’s unlikely to be alone on the lead here, but he may not need to lead to perform well.

8. Midnight Taboo (30-1) – While his pedigree isn’t as rock solid as fellow newcomer Incognito’s, it’s not a total forgetaboutit either! And in his last race, he had to alter course several times after being stuck behind horses but still came on to finish third.

9. Revolutionary (9-2) – He’s reunited with jockey Javier Castellano after the Calvin Borel-patented inside-trip in the Derby did not produce the desired results. He actually had a slightly faster final quarter than second-place finisher Golden Soul and could improve his chances by sitting closer to the pace.

10. Will Take Charge (20-1) – After encountering traffic trouble in the Derby, he didn’t take to the surface in the Preakness. He’s reunited with jockey Jon Court, who was aboard for the upset over stablemate Oxbow in the Rebel Stakes.

11. Vyjack (20-1) – He skipped the Preakness after a lackluster performance in the Derby, but the Preakness was probably a better distance for him.

12. Palace Malice (15-1) – WINNER – He ran the Kentucky Derby like a sprinter while wearing blinkers for the first time, but he gets another shot to prove he’s Classic material, sans blinkers. Of the five of Todd Pletcher starters, he’s garnered the most praise in the morning. If he can sit off the pace and stay out of traffic trouble, he could have a shot.

13. Unlimited Budget (8-1) – Trainer Todd Pletcher won the 2007 Belmont Stakes with a filly named Rags to Riches and he tries again, this time adding well-regarded female jockey Rosie Napravnik. The filly was game in her first career defeat last out in the Kentucky Oaks, but her pedigree is unfortunately questionable for the 12 furlongs.

14. Golden Soul (10-1) – The second-place Kentucky Derby longshot skipped the Preakness to freshen up for the Belmont. While he did turn in a breakthrough performance in Louisville, it should be noted that he had a dream inside trip, compared to Orb who raced wide throughout.

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