Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown won the first two legs of the Triple Crown with horses who won't be in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park, but both trainers have a chance to win two Triple Crown races in the same year with different horses.
The good news is that the hoof abscess troubling Classic Empire and keeping him out of the 149th Belmont Stakes should not prevent him from running again. This is something John Shirreffs did not need to point out, as he waited at Belmont's Barn 17 Wednesday afternoon for the arrival of his Belmont starter, Santa Anita Derby winner Gormley.
Epicharis arrived here from Japan last week to race in the Belmont Stakes. A talented, level-headed colt, Epicharis looks more suited to handling the challenge than did Lani last year.
Irish War Cry and Gormley finally joined the party here Thursday morning, with the entire field now on the grounds and in the final stages of their preparations for Saturday's Belmont Stakes.
TimeformUS handicapper David Aragona provides analysis for the 2017 Belmont Stakes.
Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith has had a year to remember – and it's only June. He's won the world's two richest races and the Kentucky Oaks, and on Saturday Smith hits Belmont Park with mounts in eight of the 10 stakes on the card.
The Grade 1, $1.2 million Metropolitan Handicap has a history of being a stallion-making race, because it showcases the brilliance so desired in the American market.The latest case in point came last year, when Frosted romped by 14 1/4 lengths in the sparkling time of 1:32.73.
Japanese invader Epicharis was treated on Wednesday night at Belmont Park for lameness in his right front leg, but his trainer on Thursday morning said he was hopeful Epicharis could make the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.
The Belmont Stakes drew a hefty field of 12 but does not include the winner of either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness. Six different horses comprised the trifectas from the two races, and among those runners, only Derby runner-up Lookin At Lee and Preakness show horse Senior Investment are in the field. Neither has much early speed, but that may not be a bad thing in light of the TimeformUS Pace Projector.
The 2017 Belmont Stakes features a group of 3-year-olds that are either inconsistent, unproven at the graded stakes level, or a combination of the two. With Wednesday morning's defection of last year's juvenile champion Classic Empire, favoritism for the Belmont is unknown; Irish War Cry was made the tepid 7-2 morning-line favorite, but it wouldn't be a stunner to see other horses also vie for favoritism as post time approaches.
