American Pharoah’s quest to become racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner and first since 1978 will start from post 5 against seven challengers in the 147th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes.
The top 2015 two-mile Beyer Speed Figure in the land, 97, belongs to Unitarian, who is the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the Belmont Gold Cup on Friday.
Justin Zayat is the racing and stallion manager for Zayat Stables, which owns 147 horses, including American Pharoah, who on Saturday will attempt to complete Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes. To some, it may be hard to believe that, at age 23, Justin Zayat is making key decisions for one of the largest outfits in racing.
Cavorting looked like a potential star last summer in New York, but she comes into Friday’s $150,000 Jersey Girl Stakes at Belmont Park with something to prove – and she isn’t alone.
Jerry Crawford, who manages the Donegal Racing partnership which owns Keen Ice, is savvy enough to concede all the advantages in the Belmont Stakes to American Pharoah, except one. “He’s the best-bred horse from a stamina standpoint in the field,” Crawford said of Keen Ice. “He has not been as quick as some of the others. But the mile and a half gives the horse with the right breeding a chance to succeed.”
True Thought will try to make amends when he runs in a $25,000 optional-claiming race on Friday at Northlands Park. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up drew 11 horses but only 10 will start.
Royal Temptress will start at the longest distance of her career when she runs in a second-level optional $62,500 claimer at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Friday.
At this time last year, Marriedtothemusic was in such sharp form he ran in the Grade 2 True North at Belmont Park. The Truth North will be contested again on Friday, but instead of running there, Marriedtothemusic will face far softer company returning from a layoff of nearly six months.
To find better horses, Chris Hartman figured he had to go East, young man.
Nick Zito has a unique perspective on the Belmont Stakes, which will be run for the 147th time Saturday.
