Traditionally the final event of the Triple Crown, the race will instead be the first of the three races this year, with the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes both postponed until September and October, respectively.
Like its Triple Crown counterparts, the Belmont Stakes was also postponed, with organizers moving the race from its original June 6 slot to June 20 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The calendar reshuffling has also forced the New York Racing Association to shorten the race from the traditional 12-furlong (1.5 miles) distance to nine furlongs to “properly account for the schedule adjustment to the Triple Crown series and overall calendar for 3-year-olds in training.”
As it’s been the case with sporting events held following the coronavirus lockdown, the race will be behind closed doors, marking the first time it has been run without spectators.
Florida Derby winner “Tiz The Law” enters the race as the bookmakers’ favorite after “Nadal,” “Charlatan” and “Maxfield” all withdrew.
A 6/5 favorite. Tiz The Law aims to become the first New York-bred horse to win at Belmont Park since “Forrester” achieved the feat 1882.
Trained by veteran Barclay Tagg and ridden by Manny Franco, the colt will start from post No. 8 on Saturday. The position is hardly ideal but Tagg was philosophical about it.
“It could have been worse,” he said after the post positions were drawn on Wednesday. “He likes this track, so I’m glad to be back on it.”
Here’s everything you need to know to follow the action.
When and where is the Belmont Stakes?
The 152nd edition of the so-called “Test of the Champion” takes place Saturday, June 20, in its traditional home of Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
The race has been contested over 1.5 miles since 1926, but this year has been shortened to 1.1 miles.
Post time
Post time is scheduled for 5:42 p.m. ET.
TV channel
The Belmont Stakes will be broadcast live by NBC, which has held rights to the final leg of the Triple Crown since 2011. Coverage runs from 3 p.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET.
Live stream
The race will be available on NBC digital platforms.
Post positions
- Tap It To Win 2. Sole Volante 3. Max Player 4. Modernist 5. Farmington Road 6. Fore Legt 7. Jungle Runner 8. Tiz the Law 9. Dr Post 10. Pneumatic
Odds
Tiz The Law enters the Belmont Stakes as a 6/5 favourite The 3-year-old colt, a winner of the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont as juvenile last year, is aiming to become the first New York-bred horse to win at Belmont Park since 1882. Belmont Stakes debutant Dr. Post follows at 4/1, with Pneumatic at 6/1.
Tiz The Law 6/5Dr Post 4/1Pneumatic 6/1Tap It To Win 10/1Sole Volante 10/1Modernist 12/1Farmington Road 15/1Max Player 30/1Jungle Runner 50/1
Belmont Stakes figures
Tiz The Law is the bookmakers’ favorite but the omens are mixed for the Barclay Tagg-trained horse. In the last 15 years, only three favorites have won the race–“Afleet Alex” in 2005, “American Pharoah” in 2015, and “Justify,” who completed the Triple Crown in 2018.
At the same time, a son of top sire “Tapit” has won the Belmont Stakes three times in the last six years. “Tonalist” triumphed in 2014, while “Creator” and “Tapwrit” claimed first place in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
The grandson of Tapit, Tiz The Law will be hoping to continue the trend.
