2019 Belmont Stakes Study Guide

Jun 06, 2019 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A field of 10 has been entered to compete in Saturday's $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1). The feature on an extravagant day of graded racing looks as wide open as it has in recent memory, with each horse in the field having a realistic chance of achieving Triple Crown glory.

FREE Belmont Stakes PPs courtesy of Brisnet.com! 
FREE Belmont Stakes Betting Guide courtesy of TwinSpires.com!

Here is the field:

---

Joevia Career Racing Stats

*Top BRIS Speed rating (99) for second in Jimmy Winkfield Stakes*

5 Starts		Owner: Jeff and Michael Fazio		Sire: Shanghai Bobby
2 Wins		Breeder: Ikhana Farm (KY)		Dam: Peace Process
2 Place		Trainer: Gregory Sacco		Color: Dark Bay
0 Show		Jockey: Jose Lezcano
Total Career Earnings: $131,600

The Long Branch Stakes star was outrun when seventh in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) in his previous graded attempt. The likely pacesetter in the cast has to overcome doubts about his class, as well as his ability to thrive at a marathon distance. He will be the likely one to catch in the early stages.

---

Everfast Career Racing Stats

*Top BRIS Speed rating (94) for runner-up finishes in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Holy Bull Stakes (G2) *

11 Starts		Owner: Calumet Farm		Sire: Take Charge Indy
1 Wins		Breeder: Extern Developments (KY)		Dam: Awesome Surprise
2 Place		Trainer: Dale Romans		Color: Bay
1 Show		Jockey: Luis Saez
Total Career Earnings: $464,805

The Preakness Stakes (G1) second made up a lot of ground at Pimlico three weeks prior and could relish the 1 1/2-mile distance in this spot. The Kentucky-bred is very inconsistent but has run big in two of his six assignments in 2019. Luis Saez picks up the mount atop the difficult-to-gauge late runner.

---

Master Fencer Career Racing Stats

*Top BRIS Speed rating (95) in Kentucky Derby (G1) seventh*

7 Starts		Owner: Katsumi Yoshizawa		Sire: Just A Way
2 Wins		Breeder: Katsumi Yoshizawa (JPN)		Dam: Sexy Zamurai
2 Place		Trainer: Koichi Tsunoda		Color: Chestnut
0 Show		Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Total Career Earnings: $234,392

This Japanese import gave a nice account of himself when beaten only four lengths under the wire in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The three-year-old colt is a slow-starting type with a big late kick, and his style and pedigree are both well suited to the demands of the Belmont Stakes (G1). Julien Leparoux will ride the win contender.

---

Tax Career Racing Stats

*Top BRIS Speed rating (103) for third-placing in Remsen Stakes (G2)*

6 Starts		Owner: R. A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing		Sire: Arch
2 Wins		Breeder: Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Cilschneider (KY)		Dam: Toll
2 Place		Trainer: Danny Gargan		Color: Dark Bay
1 Show		Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Total Career Earnings: $326,200

This Grade 3 winner ran a flat one in the slop at Churchill Downs most recently but will move forward on Big Sandy. The gelding has a pedigree and running style that seems tailored for the Belmont Stakes (G1). The son of Arch uses Belmont Park as his home base, and he gives the impression of a sophomore who could win the race.

---

Bourbon War Career Racing Stats

*Top BRIS Speed rating (96) in Remsen Stakes (G2) fourth and allowance victory*

6 Starts		Owner: Bourbon Lane Stable and Lake Star Stable		Sire: Tapit
2 Wins		Breeder: Conquest Stables LLC (KY)		Dam: My Conquestadory
1 Place		Trainer: Mark Hennig		Color: Bay
0 Show		Jockey: Mike Smith
Total Career Earnings: $202,100

This Kentucky-bred took a lot of money at the windows in the Preakness Stakes (G1) in his first race with blinkers on and never factored while finishing eighth. The well-bred colt wintered nicely in Florida this season and gets another chance following a solid half-mile drill at Belmont Park. Bourbon War will receive a rider change to Mike Smith in hopes of earning his first graded win.

---

Spinoff Career Racing Stats

*Top BRIS Speed rating (102) for runner-up effort in Louisiana Derby (G2)*

5 Starts		Owner: Wertheimer and Frere		Sire: Hard Spun
2 Wins		Breeder: Wertheimer et Frere (KY)		Dam: Zaftig
1 Place		Trainer: Todd Pletcher		Color: Chestnut
1 Show		Jockey: Javier Castellano
Total Career Earnings: $260,000

This chestnut colt was a sharp second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) two prior, which preceded an 18th-placed result in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The homebred shows a trio of sharp local drills following his trip to Louisville, and he will benefit from the fitness he gained on Kentucky Derby Day. This contender has early pace and looms a danger with his best performance.

---

Sir Winston Career Racing Stats

*Top BRIS Speed rating (101) for second in Peter Pan Stakes (G3)*

9 Starts		Owner: Tracy Farmer		Sire: Awesome Again
2 Wins		Breeder: Tracy Farmer (KY)		Dam: La Gran Bailadora
1 Place		Trainer: Mark Casse		Color: Chestnut
1 Show		Jockey: Joel Rosario
Total Career Earnings: $161,773

This Mark Casse pupil ran his best race to date when coming home swiftly in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) most recently. The chestnut colt has never won on the dirt and is winless from four assignments in 2019 in advance of Saturday, but he could be coming around at the right time. The Kentucky-bred will have Joel Rosario in the stirrups.

---

Intrepid Heart Career Racing Stats

*Top BRIS Speed rating (96) in Peter Pan Stakes (G3) third-placing*

3 Starts		Owner: Robert and Lawana Low		Sire: Tapit
2 Wins		Breeder: WinStar Farm LLC and Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY)		Dam: Flaming Heart
0 Place		Trainer: Todd Pletcher		Color: Gray/Roan
1 Show		Jockey: John Velazquez
Total Career Earnings: $140,400

This lightly raced colt will aim to give both his trainer and sire a fourth Belmont Stakes win. The $750,000 auction purchase was an even third in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) in his stakes debut last time and steps up in class on this day. The Kentucky-bred has improved with each start and intrigues as a longshot contender.

---

War of Will Career Racing Stats

*Top BRIS Speed rating (96) in Risen Star Stakes (G2) victory*

10 Starts		Owner: Gary Barber		Sire: War Front
4 Wins		Breeder: Flaxman Holdings Ltd. (KY)		Dam: Visions of Clarity
1 Place		Trainer: Mark Casse		Color: Bay
1 Show		Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Total Career Earnings: $1,491,569

The Preakness Stakes (G1) star proved he is among the best of his generation with a win at Pimlico, where he looked primed for success every step of the way. The millionaire colt is plenty fit right now, and he has a running style which is compatible to many recent winners of this storied event. Tyler Gaffalione will be in the controls aiming for a second Triple Crown tally atop the colt.

---

Tacitus Career Racing Stats

*Top BRIS Speed rating (103) in Wood Memorial (G2) triumph*

5 Starts		Owner: Juddmonte Farms Inc.		Sire: Tapit
3 Wins		Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Inc.		Dam: Close Hatches
0 Place		Trainer: Bill Mott		Color: Gray/Roan
1 Show		Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Total Career Earnings: $953,000

This colt is the potential one to beat for conditioner Bill Mott. The son of Tapit has never run a bad race and he was elevated to third in the Kentucky Derby (G1), a race he might have needed in just his third off the layoff. The blue-blooded colt smoked a bullet five furlongs at Belmont on June 2 and seems poised for a big showing in this event.