Belmont Stakes Day up at Soggy Saratoga

 We look at the third jewel of the Triple Crown up at Saratoga.

Belmont at SARATOGA Race 13 {Belmont Stakes~G1~1 1/4 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A high-level group of eight will go to the gate in this final race of the Triple Crown.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

There will be a couple of speedsters to get the pace going. Speed figs are fairly close with five in the field hitting the triple digit in at least one of their races. Only the three top finishers in the Kentucky Derby have gone this distance. Only two have raced over the Saratoga track. It should be a fine race on a rainy day at Saratoga.

#3 Rodriguez (M. Smith / Baffert) will show speed firing fresh having skipped both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness due to hoof issues. He holds the highest last out speed number and three powerful peaking workouts. This guy will stretch out to the distance. As a front runner, he should be able to control the pace in the slop. A son of 2020 Kentucky Derby winner, Authentic, he is 100% in the money from five starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#2 Sovereignty (Alvarado / Mott) will challenge in the closing strides of the race. This year's Kentucky Derby winner is well rested holding the third highest last out speed number and three strong peaking workouts. Obviously, he has won at this distance. A millionaire son of Into Mischief, he is 83% in the money from six starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#6 Baeza (Prat / Smith) should track the pace closely and get first jump on the pace setters. The third-place finisher in KD 151, he is proven at the distance. He holds the fourth highest last out speed number and three endurance producing, peaking workouts. A son of McKinzie, he is 80% in the money from five starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#7 Journalism (Rispoli / McCarthy) is the deserved morning line favorite with the second highest last out speed number and one sharp workout. The second-place finisher in KD 151 is another proven at the distance. His hard-fought win in the Preakness might have tired him up as he wheels back in a couple of weeks. Add in runinng in the Saratoga muck he might shed is normal fight. A son of Curlin he is 100% in the money from seven starts. 

#1 Hill Road (I. Ortiz / C. Brown) will track and close into the pace. He has hit the board in his last three starts. A son of Quality Road, he is 80% in the money from five starts. He could surprise.

#8 Heart of Honor [GB] (S. Osborne / J. Osborne) will be making his second North American start. Look for him to track and close into a swift pace. A son of Honor A.P. he is 85% in the money from seven starts.

$1 Exacta Wheel ($7.00)

#3 Rodriguez  ///  ALL.

Reverse the Wheel ($7.00)

ALL  /// #3 Rodriguez.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#3 Rodriguez  +  #2 Sovereignty  +  #6 Baeza  +  #7 Journalism.

10 CENT Superfecta Stright ($4.00)

#3 Rodriguez  /  #2 Sovereignty,  #6 Baez  /  #2,  #6,  #7 Journalism,  #1 Hill Road,  #8 Heart of Honor [GB]  /  ALL.

Best of luck with all your Stakes Saturday wagers!!!