The 152nd Belmont Stakes will be held this Saturday, June 20, and for the first time will be the anchor leg to the Triple Crown. This year the race will be contested at 1 1/8 miles, three furlongs shorter than the traditional Belmont Stakes distance of 1 ½ miles. The weather in New York on Saturday is expected to be warm and possibly even wet with afternoon thunderstorms likely. The day’s high temperature will reach into the lower 80s. First post at Belmont Park is 11:45 p.m. ET and the Belmont Stakes field will break from the gate at 5: 42 p.m. ET.
Belmont Stakes Entries and Picks
Tiz The Law
Constitution—Tizfiz, by Tiznow
Owner: Sackatoga Stable
Breeder: Twin Creeks Farm (NY) Trainer: Barclay Tagg
Jockey: Manuel Franco
Tiz the Law – Photo Courtesy of NYRA
This cleverly named colt from the first crop of Constitution seems a bit like déjà vu all over again. Owners Sackatoga Stables and trainer Barclay Tagg went down the Triple Crown trail with a talented New York-bred before with Funny Cide only to fall short in the Belmont after winning both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Maybe this year they will get their Belmont Stakes victory with the race being the first leg of the Triple Crown at 1 1/8 miles, a distance the colt has already won over. Thanks to Tiz The Law, his dam Tizfiz was awarded the honor of New York Broodmare of the Year, but unfortunately posthumously. She died last year from colic. Sackatoga Stable LLC was founded by Jack Knowlton and Ed Mitzen in July 2006 and it has evolved into a popular New York-based ownership group having campaigned more than 30 horses, including Funny Cide and Tiz The Law. So far, Funny Cide is their only Belmont Stakes starter.
Barclay Tagg has had two Belmont Stakes starters so far: Tale of Ekati was sixth in 2008 and Funny Cide was third in 2013.
“It means a lot (to have another Belmont runner),” Tagg said. You don’t get top contenders all the time. He’s a nice horse. Hopefully he’s as good we think. You work every day seven days a week, you just hope nothing happens and nothing goes wrong. But so far, so good. We’re pleased with the way he’s been doing and we’re ready for the race.”
Jockey Manuel Franco is making his Belmont Stakes debut.
Max Player
Honor Code—Fools In Love, by Not For Love
Owner: George E. Hall and Sport BLX Thoroughbreds Corp.
Breeder: K & G Stables (KY) Trainer: Linda Rice
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Max Player was part of the Lane’s End consignment at the Keeneland September yearling sale in 2018 but failed to meet his reserve at $150,000. Lane’s End stands his sire, Honor Code, and Max Player is among the best from the stallion’s very promising first crop, having won the Withers Stakes in just his third career start. Honor Code made three starts over Belmont Park’s main track, winning the Met Mile, finishing second in the Champagne Stakes and third in the Kelso Stakes. Honor Code is from the final crop by leading sire A.P. Indy, who won the 1992 Belmont Stakes. George E. Hall, in partnership with his wife Lori, has been represented by two previous Belmont Stakes starters. Ruler on Ice won in 2011 and My Adonis finished eighth in 2012.
Trainer Linda Rice has saddled one previous Belmont Stakes starter: Supervisor was fifth in 2003.
“It would be great to win a Belmont or any Triple Crown race,” Rice said. “(The Withers) was on February 1, so we’re looking at four and a half months. He has improved dramatically in his training the past 60 days. I’m excited about running him this week.”
Joel Rosario has been aboard eight previous Belmont Stakes starters, two were winners: Tonalist (2014) and Sir Winston (2019).
Modernist
Uncle Mo—Symbolic Gesture, by Bernardini
Owner: Martin and Pam Wygod
Breeder: Wygod Stables LLC. (KY) Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Modernist – Photo Courtesy of Hodges Photo
As good as Uncle Mo was as a 2-year-old, winning the 2010 Champagne Stakes and Breeders Cup Juvenile, he failed to make the gate for any of the classics in 2011 and retired at the end of 2011 unplaced in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. But what the son of Indian Charlie couldn’t accomplish on the racetrack he has more than made up for in the breeding shed, siring multiple grade 1 winners and millionaires, including 2015 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist. Modernist’s dam, Symbolic Gesture, is a daughter of 2009 Broodmare of the Year Sweet Life, who is also the dam of champion Sweet Catomine and Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic winner Life Is Sweet.
California-based owners Martin and Pam Wygod have achieved a tremendous amount of success in horse racing, their powder blue and white silks worn by jockeys aboard names like Idiot Proof, After Market, Tranquility Lake and Benchmark (in addition to those previously mentioned), but Modernist is their first Belmont Stakes starter.
Trainer Bill Mott has saddled eight Belmont Stakes runners with Drosselmeyer in 2010 being his only winner.
Junior Alvarado has ridden a single Belmont Stakes starter to date, Unstoppable U was sixth in 2012.
Sole Volante
Karakontie—Light Blow, by Kingmambo
Owner: Andie Biancone and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing
Breeder: Flaxman Holdings (KY) Trainer: Patrick Biancone
Jockey: Luca Panici
This colt is from the first crop of Japanese-bred Karakontie, who won multiple group 1 races in France before finishing up his career with a victory in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland. Trainer Biancone paid $20,000 for Sole Volante as an Ocala Breeders’ Sales 2-year-old in training 14 months ago and he previously sold for just $5,000 as a Keeneland yearling the previous September. His is currently his sire’s most successful offspring, having earned more than $160,000 more than Karakontie’s second most successful runner. Sole Volante means “flying sun” in Italian.
Sole Volane is Andie Biancone’s first Belmont Stakes starter though Reeves Thoroughbreds sent out Mucho Macho Man (in partnership with Dream Team One) to a seventh-place finish in 2011. Andie Biancone is the trainer’s daughter.
Trainer Patrick Biancone has saddled two previous Belmont Stakes starters: Le Voyageur was third in 1989 and Chekhov was sixth in 2005.
“He’s very talented,” Biancone said. “He’s been very good for us and trains his best all the time. We’ll see how good he is Saturday. No question, Tiz the Law is the horse to beat, but (Sole Volante) totally (deserves) this opportunity.”
Luca Panici will ride his first Belmont Stakes starter.
Tap It To Win
Tapit—Onepointhreekarats, by Medaglia d’Oro
Owner: Live Oak Plantation
Breeder: Live Oak Stud (FL) Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: John Velazquez
Tap It To Win seeks to become his sire’s record fourth winner of this race, which would tie Lexington’s record from the 19th century. Lexington was represented by Belmont winners General Duke (1868), Kingfisher (1870), Harry Bassett (1871) and Duke of Magenta (1878). Stallions to have sired three winners are Australian (Joe Daniels, 1872; Springbok, 1873; and Spendthrift, 1879), Fair Play (Man o’ War, 1920; Mad Play, 1924; and Chance Shot, 1927) and Man o’ War (American Flag, 1925; Crusader, 1926; and Triple Crown winner War Admiral, 1937).
Tapit so far has sired Belmont winners Tonalist (2014), Creator (2016) and Tapwrit (2017). Weber paid $1.3 million for Onepointhreekarats as a yearling at Keeneland in 2009. She was trained throughout her 16-race career by Graham Motion and won three stakes.
Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation has been represented by a single previous Belmont Stakes runner: Brilliant Speed finished third in 2011.
Hall of Fame inductee Mark Casse has started two Belmont Stakes starters. Sir Winston won a year ago while his stablemate Bourbon War finished 10th.
Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez has ridden 23 previous Belmont Stakes runners with two winners: Rags To Riches (2007) and Union Rags (2012). Since his first mount in 1995 he has only not ridden in the race twice (2000 and 2002).
Jungle Runner
Candy Ride—Minx, by Tapit
Owner: Calumet Farm
Breeder: Calumet Farm (KY) Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez
Candy Ride as a sire has consistently produced talented runners year after year and while Jungle Runner hasn’t proved himself as one of his sires more elite runners just yet, he certainly has the capability. So far Candy Ride has only produced one Belmont Stakes runner in Chocolate Candy, who was eighth in 2009, but he is the sire of Twirling Candy, who this year is represented this year Belmont Stakes sire by Fore Left. Jungle Runner’s dam was purchased for $190,000 by Calumet farm while she was in foal to him at Keeneland in November, 2016.
The Lucille Parker Wright Markey regime of Calumet Farm was represented by eight Belmont Stakes starters, including two winners, both of whom were also Triple Crown winners: Whirlaway and Citation. The Henryk de Kwiatkowski years at Calumet Farm saw two Belmont Stakes starters, but no winners. The Brad Kelley years of Calumet Farm have so far been represented by four starters and no winners.
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has had four Belmont Stakes starters in his career, with one winner: Creator in 2016.
Jockey Reylu Gutierrez is making his Belmont Stakes debut.
Fore Left
Twirling Candy—Simply Sunny, by Unbridled’s Song
Owner: Reddam Racing LLC
Breeder: Machmer Hall (KY) Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
It took grade 1 winner Twirling Candy a while to gain his footing as a sire, but 2019 was his breakout year and Fore Left was one thanks to his two stakes wins as a juvenile. He also is represented by grade 1 winners Concrete Rose and Gift Box. Fore Left, who was a last-minute addition to the Belmont Stakes, marks the stallions first Belmont Stakes starter.
Owner Reddam Racing (Paul Reddam) has had one previous Belmont Stakes starter: Ten Most Wanted, who he raced in partnership with Michael Jarvis and James Chisholm, was second behind Empire Maker in 2003.
Trainer Doug O’Neill has had one Belmont Stakes stakes starter: Blended Citizen was ninth in 2018.
He’s a one-run horse,” said Pletcher. “He likes to settle and come from off the pace. A true-run race would definitely be to his benefit.”
Jockey Jose Ortiz has had five previous Belmont Stakes mounts, winning aboard Tapwrit in 2017.
Max Player
Honor Code—Fools In Love, by Not For Love
Owner: George E. Hall and Sport BLX Thoroughbreds Corp.
Breeder: K & G Stables (KY) Trainer: Linda Rice
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Max Player was part of the Lane’s End consignment at the Keeneland September yearling sale in 2018 but failed to meet his reserve at $150,000. Lane’s End stands his sire, Honor Code, and Max Player is among the best from the stallion’s very promising first crop, having won the Withers Stakes in just his third career start. Honor Code made three starts over Belmont Park’s main track, winning the Met Mile, finishing second in the Champagne Stakes and third in the Kelso Stakes. Honor Code is from the final crop by leading sire A.P. Indy, who won the 1992 Belmont Stakes. George E. Hall, in partnership with his wife Lori, has been represented by two previous Belmont Stakes starters. Ruler on Ice won in 2011 and My Adonis finished eighth in 2012.
Trainer Linda Rice has saddled one previous Belmont Stakes starter: Supervisor was fifth in 2003.
“It would be great to win a Belmont or any Triple Crown race,” Rice said. “(The Withers) was on February 1, so we’re looking at four and a half months. He has improved dramatically in his training the past 60 days. I’m excited about running him this week.”
Joel Rosario has been aboard eight previous Belmont Stakes starters, two were winners: Tonalist (2014) and Sir Winston (2019).
Pneumatic
Uncle Mo—Teardrop, by Tapid
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY) Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
As good as Uncle Mo was as a 2-year-old, winning the 2010 Champagne Stakes and Breeders Cup Juvenile, he failed to make the gate for any of the classics in 2011 and retired at the end of 2011 unplaced in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. But what the son of Indian Charlie couldn’t accomplish on the racetrack he has more than made up for in the breeding shed, siring multiple grade 1 winners and millionaires, including 2015 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist. Pneumatic is the first foal out of Teardrop (by Tapit), who was also campaigned by Winchell and is a half-sister to graded stakes winner Pyro. Pyro currently stands at Darley Japan.
Winchell Thoroughbreds (Joan and her son, Ron Winchell) is the continuation of the Thoroughbred racing operation started by the late Verne Winchell, who died in 2002 at the age of 87 and was the founder of Winchell’s Donuts. He was also CEO and chairman of the Denny’s restaurant chain. The burgundy and white Winchell Thoroughbreds silks are very familiar to racing fans and some of their runners include Gun Runner, Tight Spot, Pyro, Donut King, Olympio, Sea Cadet, Fleet Renee, Valiant Nature, On Target, Tapizar, Untapable, Tapiture and Exetera. The Winchells also raced now leading sire Tapit. They have had one Belmont Stakes starter: Tenfold finished fifth in 2018.
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has had four Belmont Stakes starters in his career, with one winner: Creator in 2016.
Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. rode Tenfold to a fifth-place finish in 2018.
Farmington Road
Quality Road—Silver La Belle, by Langfuhr
Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Robert V. LaPenta and Chrysalis Stables
Breeder: Chrysalis Stables LLC. (KY) Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Even though Quality Road was a four-time grade 1 winner and millionaire on the track, he has exceeded those accomplishments as a sire with just six crops to have raced so far, his seventh are as-yet unraced juveniles. While Farmington Road is his first Belmont Stakes starter, he is represented by a number of grade 1 winners and millionaires, including City of Light, Abel Tasman, Bellafina, Dunbar Road, Roadster and many more. Farmington Road’s dam, Silver La Belle, was multiple stakes placed for trainer Mark Casse.
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners has had one Belmont starter, Tapwrit, who won in 2017. Robert LaPenta also co-owned Tapwrit. LaPenta himself owned six other Belmont starters in his own name: Andromeda’s Hero was second in 2005, C P West was fifth in 2007, Brave Victory and Minser’s Escape in 2009 and Ice Box in 2010. Da’Tara won in 2008.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has saddled 37 Belmont Stakes runners so far, three winners: Rags to Riches (2007), Palace Malice (2013) and Tapwrit (2017).
He’s a one-run horse,” said Pletcher. “He likes to settle and come from off the pace. A true-run race would definitely be to his benefit.”
Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano has ridden 12 Belmont Stakes runners, but has yet to ride a winner.
Belmont Stakes 2020 Field
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tap It To Win | 6-1 | John R. Velazquez | Mark E. Casse |
| 2 | Sole Volante | 9-2 | Luca Panici | Patrick L. Biancone |
| 3 | Max Player | 15-1 | Joel Rosario | Linda Rice |
| 4 | Modernist | 15-1 | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott |
| 5 | Farmington Road | 15-1 | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher |
| 6 | Fore Left | 30-1 | Jose Ortiz | Doug O’Neill |
| 7 | Jungle Runner | 50-1 | Reylu Gutierrez | Steven M. Asmussen |
| 8 | Tiz The Law | 6-5 | Manny Franco | Barclay Tagg |
| 9 | Dr Post | 5-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher |
| 10 | Pneumatic | 8-1 | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | Steven M. Asmussen |
Miriam Lee has always been a horse racing fan thanks to trips to the tracks in her home state of Maryland with her father as kid. She owns an OTTB and is an advocate for promoting the sport among her peers. Miriam studies communication arts at Hood College and will receive her master’s degree in 2021, which she plans to use for a career in screenwriting. Her all-time favorite racehorse is Man O War.
