What do you know, we are just less than a couple of weeks away from seeing another chapter of the Triple Crown end at the Belmont Stakes. Will Justify sweep the Triple Crown? Or will another horse top the event this coming June 9? Read on for our brief overview of some of the competitors in the upcoming race.
Justify (-170) – There’s absolutely no doubt that Justify is the favorite to win the Belmont Stakes. After topping the Kentucky Derby and winning the second leg of the Triple Crown at Pimlico, Justify has definitely and deservedly earned the right to become the top horse to watch at the Belmont Stakes. Justify has never lost a race in five career races, which also includes a victory at the Santa Anita Derby Grade 1 stakes back in April. Trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, whose horses have won 48 of 157 races this year. He trained the American Pharoah, who won the Triple Crown in 2015.
Hofburg (+350) – The regally bred Bill Mott trainee has moved up as the second favorite at the sportsbook and at Vegas racebooks. While the horse did not race at Preakness and only came in seventh at the Kentucky Derby, he has been tipped as a major contender for the Belmont. For one, not racing at Preakness means that the Hof will have benefited from some much needed rest as Justify is coming off impressive yet toll-taking performances. Reports out of HorseRacingNation have the horse trotting around Bill Mott’s Oklahoma Training Track in Saratoga with a calm, professional, and focused demeanor. While the thought of a Triple Crown win is a nice one, Hofburg could spoil the fairytale ending for Justify.
Bravazo was not much of a horse to remember following the Kentucky Derby in which he finished just sixth. But he turned heads at the Preakness Stakes by placing second to Justify. Bravazo has been up-and-down for most of his career. Since starting to compete in 2017, Bravazo has finished outside of the top three four times but has shown in the other six races. That includes a trio of first-place finishes. He topped a maiden special weight race in September of last year and had back-to-back wins during an AlwOC race in January and at the Risen Star Grade 2 race the following month. Justify might not have raced as a two-year-old, but the Bob Baffert-trained colt has raced five times this year, so fatigue may be setting in for the Triple Crown hopeful.
Speaking of Bob Baffert, he’s got another horse in this race besides Justify. That’s Restoring Hope, who’s arguably the horse with the freshest legs entering the Belmont Stakes. For one Restoring Hope has not raced at either the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. The last time Restoring Hope was last seen officially competing was at the Pat Day Mile Grade 3 stakes earlier his month in which he only finished 12th. It was a letdown performance for the Gary L. West-owned colt, who, prior to the Pat Day Mile event, had shown in each of its previous four races, including a third place at the Wood Memorial Grade 2 stakes back in February.
Writer’s Prediction:
Bravazo denies Bob Baffert and Justify a Triple Crown sweep with a win at the Belmont Stakes.
