Tiz the Law imposing favorite in shortened Belmont Stakes

Jun 17, 2020 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Shaping up as one the shortest-priced favorites in recent race history by a non Triple Crown-seeking entrant, Tiz the Law was installed at 6-5 for Saturday's $1 million Belmont Stakes (G1).

Normally the annual finale to the Triple Crown, the 'Test of the Champion' comes first in this unprecedented, topsy-turvy season due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The distance of the Belmont has been reduced from 1 1/2 miles to 1 1/8 miles and the race now serves as a Road to the Kentucky Derby series prep. Qualifying points of 150-60-30-15 to the Sept. 5 classic will be awarded to the top four finishers.

Recent setbacks to others, and his own talent, have made Tiz the Law an imposing choice in the Belmont. The New York-bred dazzled in two starts over the winter, taking the Holy Bull (G3) and Florida Derby (G1) by widening margins and earning Brisnet speed ratings of 108 and 100, respectively.

Wheeling back on short rest of a June 10 allowance win at Gulfstream is Sole Volante, who had previously captured the Sam F. Davis (G3) and run second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). The talented closer will need some pace up front, with UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) winner Fore Left and recent allowance scorer Tap It to Win the leading candidates to do so.

The lightly-raced Dr Post stretches out a bit off a victory in the 1 1/16-mile Unbridled S. at Gulfstream in only his third career start for multiple Belmont-winning trainer Todd Pletcher. Pneumatic is also a horse on the rise following a third to the sidelined Maxfield in the May 23 Matt Winn (G3) in his stakes debut.

Among those coming off more extended breaks are Modernist, who captured a Risen Star (G2) division before running third in the Louisiana Derby (G2), and Max Player, who was last seen capturing the Withers (G3) by more than three lengths at Aqueduct on Feb. 1.

The Belmont can be watched and wagered on at TwinSpires.com.