2017 Belmont Stakes: past performances, news, analysis

As we approach Saturday’s Belmont S. (G1), you can keep up with all the latest news and handicapping right here.

Check out the overview of the likely Belmont field, including an international contender in Japan’s Epicharis, and get a head start on your homework with the free Brisnet Past Performances.

News and updates on the third jewel of the Triple Crown can be found under the “Belmont Stakes” category. Previews of the supporting stakes for the entire Belmont Stakes Racing Festival are accessible at that link.

Thursday’s Festival action features the Wonder Again (G3) and Intercontinental (G3) on turf and the Astoria for two-year-old fillies over 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt.

First post Thursday is 2 p.m. (EDT), and there’s a $75,000 Guaranteed Pick 6 beginning in the 4TH race. The 6TH race starts the $250,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4.

On Friday, Belmont Park stages a total of five stakes – the True North (G2) and Bed o’ Roses Invitational (G3) for sprinters, the Tremont for juveniles, and the New York (G2) and Belmont Gold Cup (G3) for the turf set.

First post Friday is 12:50 p.m., and the quartet of graded races comprise the $500,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4. In addition is the $100,000 Guaranteed Pick 6 for the 6TH through 11TH races.

Most of Saturday’s blockbuster card will be drawn Tuesday – the Ogden Phipps (G1), Just a Game (G1), Acorn (G1), Woody Stephens (G2), Brooklyn Invitational (G2), Jaipur Invitational (G3), and Easy Goer. The 1 1/2-mile Belmont and the two immediately preceding Grade 1s, the Metropolitan H. (G1) and Manhattan H. (G1), will be drawn Wednesday.

Belmont Day gets under way with an early post time of 11:35 a.m. NYRA offers a $250,000 Guaranteed Pick 3 (3RD through 5TH), a $500,000 Guaranteed Pick 5, a $500,000 Guaranteed Pick 6 (starting with the 6TH), and a $1.5 million Guaranteed Pick 4 for the 8TH through 11TH, concluding with the Belmont Stakes.

Aside from the coverage on Brisnet, be sure to visit the TwinSpires.com blog for more analysis, such as James Scully’s Belmont BRIS Speed rating report and Kellie Reilly’s look at how the contenders are coming up to Belmont 149, and wagering strategies as the week progresses.