By US Racing Team
2023 Belmont Stakes Entries
The $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1) is the final leg of the Triple Crown. The 155th running of the 1 ½-mile “Test of the Champion” is Saturday, June 10. US Racing will be publishing profiles on all the contenders, including updated versions with odds and post-positions following the gate draw on Tuesday, June 6.
The pedigree says yes, the results say no.
That might be the best way to size up the chances of sure-to-be-longshot Il Miracolo in the Belmont Stakes on June 10th.
The 3-year-old chestnut is out of Gun Runner-Tapit’s World, by Tapit, but so far as produced a maiden win and most recently a win in an allowance optional claimer at a mile at Gulfstream Park. He’s 2-for-10, and ran fifth, sixth, and sixth in the Holy Bull (G3), Fountain of Youth (G2), and Florida Derby (G1), respectively.
The colt worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.06 over a sloppy track at Gulfstream on May 26. Trainer Antonio Sano liked the effort and is New York-bound.
“It’s a very strong race and the horse is a little green right now, but I hope he can run well and run a strong race,” Sano said.
The horse will need more than a strong race, he’ll likely need a miracle.
2023 Belmont Stakes Contenders: Il Miracolo
Post position: 5
Odds: 30-1
Trainer: Antonio Sano
Jockey: Marcos Meneses
Owner: Alexandres
Career record: 10-2-3-0
Career earnings: $103,125
Best Equibase speed figure: 84
Pedigree: Gun Runner-Tapit’s World, by Tapit
Color: Chestnut
Running style: Mid-pack
Notes: Purchased for $70,000 at the OBS June 2-year-old and horses of racing age sale … Il Miracolo’s sire Gun Runner was the 2017 Horse of the Year, while Tapit’s World’s sire was Tapit, North America’s leading sire from 2014-2016 … Sano’s top horse was Gunnevera, winner of the 2017 Fountain of Youth (G2), runner-up in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Classic, and earner of more than $5.5 million.
2023 Belmont Stakes Contenders, Odds and Post Positions
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tapit Shoes | 3-1 | Brad H. Cox | Jose Ortiz |
| 2 | Tapit Trice | 3-1 | Todd A. Pletcher | Luis Saez |
| 3 | Arcangelo | 8-1 | Jena M. Antonucci | Javier Castellano |
| 4 | National Treasure | 5-1 | Bob Baffert | John R. Velazquez |
| 5 | Il Miracolo | 30-1 | Antonio Sano | Marcos Meneses |
| 6 | Forte | 5-2 | Todd A. Pletcher | Irad Ortiz, Jr. |
| 7 | Hit Show | 10-1 | Brad H. Cox | Manuel Franco |
| 8 | Angel of Empire | 7-2 | Brad H. Cox | Flavien Prat |
| 9 | Red Route One | 15-1 | Steve M. Asmussen | Joel Rosario |