SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – As it gets closer to finalizing the field for the $2 million Belmont Stakes to be run next Saturday at Saratoga, one thing that’s becoming clear is the pace scenario will likely not be as torrid as it was in the Kentucky Derby five weeks ago. Of course, that is likely to have a significant impact on Golden Tempo and Renegade, who took advantage of a fast pace to close from the back of the pack in finishing one-two in the Kentucky Derby. Not only is the Belmont Stakes is expected to have about half the number of horses that were in the Kentucky Derby, there are far fewer individuals who possess any early speed. Chip Honcho, who defected from the Belmont on Wednesday, looked like the horse who could dictate the pace. Cherie DeVaux, trainer of Derby winner Golden Tempo, said where her horse will be early in the Belmont will likely be left up to jockey Jose Ortiz. “We’ve never wanted to change his running style,” DeVaux said. “It does leave him vulnerable to pace dynamics not working in his favor. If there’s not a contentious pace, he should be closer in theory.” :: DRF Belmont Stakes Packages: Save big on PPs, Clocker Reports, Betting Strategies, and more. In theory, Renegade would likely have been closer in the Derby than 15th early on. But breaking from the rail, Renegade got ping-ponged around for the first sixteenth of a mile. He did come with a strong run under Irad Ortiz Jr. but fell a neck short to Golden Tempo. Renegade rallied from next to last to win both the Arkansas Derby and Sam Davis, but wasn’t that far out of it in either race. “I think Renegade is tractable enough where if they’re not going that fast he can be a little closer than he has been,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “In the Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby we felt there was going to be enough pace to run at that Irad wanted to let him settle and make his run but he’s adaptable enough to adjust to a really slow pace.” Pletcher’s other Belmont starter, Powershift, would likely benefit from a lack of pace. He is coming off a maiden win going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs in which he was always within one length of the lead. It was a poor start in the Tampa Bay Derby, Powershift’s second start, that may have compromised him in a race where he finished sixth, 9 1/2 lengths behind The Puma. “He didn’t get off a great start in the race at Tampa and that took him out of the position we wanted to be in, he was in behind horses maybe taking a little more kickback than he did in his debut,” Pletcher said. “Things didn’t go right from the first step away from there. [We] didn’t feel he performed nearly as well as he was capable of.” On Friday, Renegade and Powershift put in their final workout for the Belmont, breezing a half-mile together over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga. Daily Racing Form clocked the pair in 48.81 seconds with a five-furlong gallop-out of 1:01.95 and six furlongs in 1:14.70. Renegade, who started about a half-length in front of Powershift, was on the inside whereas last week the positions for their in-company work were reversed. :: Bet the Belmont Stakes with confidence! Betting Strategies by Mike Beer and David Aragona feature exclusive wager recommendations! “They got a good run at the pole, were in full flow starting off the half and they clicked off [12-second furlongs] from there,” Pletcher said. “I thought they galloped out well. I was happy with it.” Renegade will continue to run with the three-quarter glue-on shoes that he has worn in all of his races this year. “Preventative more than anything,” Pletcher said. “Knock on wood, his feet have been good. He’ll stay in glue-on shoes that are three-quartered like he has all year.” As of Friday, the Belmont field remained at 10 with nine considered definite and a decision on Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Ocelli to be made Sunday after he works at Churchill. The other definite starters are Chief Wallabee, Commandment, Golden Tempo, Emerging Market, Growth Equity, Ottinho, and Vitruvian Man. Post positions for the Belmont will be drawn Monday afternoon. Vitruvian Man owners expand Vitruvian Man, third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 4 in his last start, will have new ownership when he starts in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga on June 6. Run Fast Racing, a partnership that includes the rap music stars Lil Yachty, Lil Wayne, and Rauw Alejandro, has invested in the colt with owner-breeder Glenn Sorgenstein, according to trainer Doug O’Neill and Adam Kluger of Run Fast Racing. Kluger has a background in music management, and is directing the Run Fast Racing stable. :: Get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports straight from the morning workouts. Available each race day at Saratoga. The deal to acquire a portion of Vitruvian Man was finalized in the last week, and is part of an expansion of Run Fast Racing’s holdings, which Kluger said will number more than 20 horses this summer. “Glenn said, ‘Let’s get something done,’ ” Kluger said. Vitruvian Man has won once in six starts, a maiden race at Keeneland last October. In the Santa Anita Derby, Vitruvian Man finished 9 1/2 lengths behind winner So Happy, who was later ninth in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2. – additional reporting by Steve Andersen :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.