Nine 3-year-olds will run in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday

By NY Hot List staff | Thursday, June 8, 2023

The $1.5 million, Grade 1 Belmont Stakes will complete the 2023 Triple Crown on Saturday with nine 3-year-olds entered for the 1 ½ mile Test of the Champion. Trainer Todd Pletcher has the top two choices in the morning line as he tries to win the Belmont for the fifth time.

Forte, who was the Champion 2-Year-Old, is listed as the 5-2 favorite.

“He’s such a pleasure to train, so professional and straightforward,” Pletcher said. “I’m pleased with the way he seems to have maintained his fitness level. We’re happy with him.”

The 3-1 Tapit Trice should appreciate the 12-furlong distance as a son of Tapit.

“He’s got that playful attitude that comes with a lot of [Tapit progeny],” Pletcher added. “I love the way he gets over the ground. He’s got that big, long, efficient stride. I think the big sweeping turns here are going to be to his liking.”

The Belmont Stakes is scheduled as race 12 out of 13 with post-time set for 7:02 p.m. EDT.

The $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1), Belmont Park, Saturday, Race 12.

(2) Tapit Trice won four races in a row with two wins on the Kentucky Derby trail which led to a seventh-place finish in the Derby. The son of Tapit should appreciate the added distance. (6) Forte is the other Pletcher runner and the morning line favorite based on his five wins in a row. He has not run since April when he won the Florida Derby. (8) Angel of Empire was third in the Derby following a pair of Derby trail wins. Blinkers go on as the leader of the Brad Cox trio in this race. (3) Arcangelo is a late developing 3-year-old with two wins in a maiden and the Peter Pan (G3) showing a big improvement in speed figures.

The rest of the NY Hot List picks and the Special Saturday Pick 3 are available free of charge at this website.