Belmont Stakes 2015: Updated Field, Contenders & Early Picks

tonalist

Tonalist won the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes in 2014. (Getty)

The Belmont Stakes is almost here, and the highly touted American Pharoah will have an opportunity to accomplish something no race horse has done in 37 years and that is win the coveted Triple Crown. The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Affirmed in 1978.

This year’s Belmont Stakes Day card features five other Grade 1 races worth almost $5 million combined including the $1.25 million main event. The 2015 Belmont Stakes is this Saturday, June 6th, from Belmont Park in New York and will be broadcast on NBC in prime time.

For news and updates before the 147th Belmont Stakes, follow the official Twitter account: @BelmontStakes and to purchase tickets for Saturday’s event that will have American Pharoah looking to become the 12th horse to win the Triple Crown, click the link in the following tweet:

Here is the projected 2015 Belmont Stakes field, contenders and early picks:


Updated Field

Belmont Stakes

The 146th Belmont Stakes. (Getty)

Here is the projected field for the 2015 Belmont Stakes:

The odds below were provided by sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com:

Horse: Odds:
American Pharoah 4/5
Frosted 5/1
Materiality 13/2
Madefromlucky 12/1
Mubtaahij 16/1
Tale of Verve 20/1
Keen Ice 25/1
Frammento 33/1

Contenders

Belmont Stakes

Tonalist ridden by Joel Rosario, crosses the finish line to win the 146th Belmont Stakes on June 7, 2014. (Getty)

The Favorite: American Pharoah

American Pharoah is the definitive favorite in the 2015 Belmont Stakes and his impressive 102 Beyer Speed Figure in the Preakness despite torrential down-pouring rain was downright impressive. At this point, it would be a shocker if American Favorite didn’t end up winning the Belmont Stakes and capture the Triple Crown.

But, who else can win the race?

The Belmont Stakes is the longest race in U.S. thoroughbred racing at 1.5 miles, and has a rich history including many memorable moments and years at the track. It is the ultimate North American endurance race.

Two horses who will play a factor in how the Belmont stakes shapes up are Frosted and Mubtaahij.

Mubtaahij didn’t run a strong Kentucky Derby, but had an impressive showing the 2015 Dubai World Cup. The horse also isn’t accustomed to running on U.S. tracks. The five weeks since the Derby should his stamina and help keep him I’m or near the lead instead staying in the middle of the pack and chasing the lead.

Frosted won the 2015 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and finished a strong 4th in the Kentucky Derby behind American Pharoah, Firing Line and Dortmund. Despite a good race, the pace wasn’t strong for the Derby. Frosted was held out and didn’t race in the Preakness, which means he has the benefit of the extra two weeks off that American Pharoah doesn’t have.


Early Picks

tonalist, belmont stakes

(Getty)

Frosted is a quality New York bred horse. If ANY horse is set to take down American Pharoah on Saturday evening, he’s the one.

At the end of the day, trainer Bob Baffert understands just how impressive American Pharoah is. A solid Kentucky Derby win turned into a dominant Preakness performance. The weather slowed down the other seven horses three weeks in Pimlico, but not American Pharoah.

37 years of history is within sight on Saturday evening.