In the days leading up to the 157th running of the $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, the team at usracing.com is publishing profiles of the 3-year-olds in the field. Profiles will be updated with post positions and track odds following the June 2 draw.
The old saying “Well begun is half done” applies to thoroughbred racing. Sometimes a bad start means you’re done immediately, which is what happened to Heart of Honor after he broke last in the Preakness Stakes (G1).
Not that the English shipper had much of a chance to begin with. His career highlight is losing by a nose in the UAE Derby (G2) to Admire Daytona, who subsequently finished last of 19 in the Kentucky Derby (G1). But to Heart of Honor’s credit, he managed to earn $60,000 by running fifth in the Preakness with a too little, too late rally that left the British-bred 8¾ lengths behind winner Journalism.
But give credit to trainer Jamie Osborne and his daughter, jockey Saffie Osborne, for accepting an almost impossible challenge. Heart of Honor went off at 19-1 odds, longest shot in a field of nine, and didn’t embarrass himself. Now the Osbornes are back for more in the Belmont Stakes (G1), where he’s overmatched again. Breaking from the gate with the rest of the field would help.
“Whatever chance we had in that race we did give it away at the gate,” Jamie Osborne told drf.com from England. “On the day he fluffed his lines. He faced a sandstorm and just didn’t come forward at all. He was very slow. Once he did get a bit of clear air, he flew down the straight.”
Heart of Honor is being schooled at the gate at Saratoga, which may help him leave it better, but don’t expect him to make an impact June 7.
Best-case scenario would be to run fourth in a short field. No bets.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
