Of the leading trainers in Belmont Stakes history, only one has previously saddled a winner, Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. Of his four previous winners, one was Rags to Riches, who is one of only three fillies in history to have ever captured the third Jewel of the Triple Crown. This year, Pletcher will send out a pair of runners in the eight-horse Belmont Stakes field.
James Rowe (8) - George Kinney (1883), Panique (1884), Commando (1901), Delhi (1904), Peter Pan (1907), Colin (1908), Sweep (1910), and Prince Eugene (1913)
Sam Hildreth (7) - Jean Bereaud (1899), Joe Madden (1909), Friar Rock (1916), Hourless (1917), Grey Lag (1921), Zev (1923), and Mad Play (1924)
“Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons (6) - Gallant Fox (1930), Faireno (1932), Omaha (1935), Granville (1936), Johnstown (1939), and Nashua (1955)
Woody Stephens (5) - Conquistador Cielo (1982), Caveat (1983), Swale (1984), Creme Fraiche (1985), and Danzig Connection (1986) (consecutive)
Max Hirsch (4) - Vito (1928), Assault (1946), Middleground (1950), and High Gun (1954)
Todd Pletcher (4) - Rags to Riches (2007), Palace Malice (2013), Tapwrit (2017), and Mo Donegal (2022)
D. Wayne Lukas (4) - Tabasco Cat (1994), Thunder Gulch (1995), Editor’s Note (1996), and Commendable (2000)
R. W. Walden (4) - Duke of Magenta (1878), Grenada (1880), Saunterer (1881), and Bowling Brook (1898)
Elliott Burch (3) - Sword Dancer (1959), Quadrangle (1964), and Arts and Letters (1969)
Bob Baffert (3) - Point Given (2001), American Pharoah (2015), and Justify (2018)
John M. Gaver (3) - Shut Out (1942), Capot (1949), and Stage Door Johnny (1968)
Lucien Laurin (3) - Amberoid (1966), Riva Ridge (1972) and Secretariat (1973)
Frank McCabe (3) - Inspector B. (1886), Hanover (1887), and Sir Dixon (1888)
David McDaniel (3) - Harry Bassett (1871), Joe Daniels (1872) and Springbok (1873)
Tom Barry (2) - Cavan (1958) and Celtic Ash (1960)
Flint “Scotty” Schulhofer (2) - Colonial Affair (1993) and Lemon Drop Kid (1999)
Sylvester Veitch (2) - Phalanx (1947) and Counterpoint (1951)
Oscar White (2) - Pavot (1945) and One Count (1952)
Nicholas P. Zito (2) - Birdstone (2004) and Da’ Tara (2008)
James Rowe also won the Belmont Stakes as a jockey aboard Joe Daniels (1872) and Springbok (1873). George Martin Odom rode Delhi to victory in 1904 and, in 1938, saddled winner Pasteurized.
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.
