Note: One of a series of profiles on contenders for the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes on June 20. Updates will be provided after morning-line odds and post positions are set early next week.
By Ed McNamara
Modernist has to be on or near the lead, but here’s the problem: He’s not particularly fast. Both of his wins came when he was able to set or track slow fractions, and that scenario doesn’t occur often in the Classics. His three-month layoff also is a concern.
Modernist – Photo Courtesy of Hodges Photo
The son of top young sire Uncle Mo had little chance last time while breaking from post 14 in the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby, but he still ran an even third behind wire-to-wire Wells Bayou. That performance was better than it looks, because Junior Alvarado had to use Modernist out of the gate, and he lost ground on both turns.
In his previous race, Modernist managed to pull off a 12-1 upset in the Fair Grounds’ 1 1/8-mile Risen Star by working out a perfect trip from the rail. He sat a close second behind the faster Ny Traffic (post 11) before shaking clear in the stretch.
Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott has been keeping his options open with Modernist after deciding not to face Nadal or Charlatan in the split Arkansas Derby. With the undefeated trio of Nadal, Charlatan and Maxfield out of the Belmont, it looks like a much more manageable spot.
“If we get right up to the race and we like what we see, then the Belmont is a very good possibility,” Mott told horseracingnation.com. “We’re getting the horse ready, and we’ll see how the race is shaping up and how he’s doing. We’ll see if we think that’s the race he should run in.”
Belmont Stakes Probable: Modernist
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: TBD
Owners: Pam and Martin Wygod
Career record: 5-2-0-2
Career earnings: $388,800
Pedigree: Uncle Mo-Symbolic Gesture by Bernardini
Running style: Front-runner
Handicapping insight:
“Positional speed usually is an advantage in Belmont Park’s unique one-turn, 1 1/8-mile configuration. Modernist is game and has won twice at the distance, so if the race comes up light on speed, he wouldn’t be the worst stab at 10-1 or so. Difficult, but not impossible.” – Ed McNamara
“Winner of a division of the Risen Star also finished third in the Louisiana Derby, but has not been seen since … Has solid credentials and connections, and some running style flexibility, but will enter the Belmont with no recent prep race and may not be in the same league yet as Tiz the Law.” – Noel Michaels
Notes: Mott is only 1-for-8 in the Belmont, winning in 2010 with long shot Drosselmeyer. He was second last year with Tacitus, the 9-5 favorite … Mott’s only other classic victory came in last year’s Kentucky Derby, when 65-1 shot Country House was placed first via the disqualification of Maximum Security.
Belmont Stakes Odds
| 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 |
Ed McNamara is an award-winning journalist who has been writing about thoroughbred racing for 35 years. He has handicapped races for ESPN.com, Newsday and The Record of New Jersey. He is the author of “Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown” and co-author of “The Most Glorious Crown,” a chronicle of the first 12 Triple Crown champions.
