November 14, 2024

Get to know the 2022 Belmont Stakes contenders

The Belmont Stakes trophy (Photo by Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com)

***Updated after Tuesday’s draw with post positions and morning-line odds

Freshened since his 80-1 Kentucky Derby (G1) upset, Rich Strike will try to make it a classic double in the June 11 Belmont S. (G1).

While Preakness (G1) winner Early Voting is passing on the third jewel of the Triple Crown, along with Epicenter who was second in both the Derby and Preakness, a few other classic veterans will advance to Belmont Park.

Several newcomers are trying the 1 1/2-mile “Test of the Champion,” including Peter Pan (G3) romper We the People and the filly Nest.

Here’s a look at the field for the Belmont:

Kentucky Derby alumni

Rich Strike, post position 4, 7-2

Rich Strike with Sonny Leon in the winner’s circle and the Garland of Roses for the 148th Kentucky Derby (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Deep closer, who had been collecting minor awards in the Turfway Park preps, relished the pace meltdown to get up in the Derby.

Owner: RED TR-Racing; Trainer: Eric Reed; Jockey: Sonny Leon

Pedigree: Keen Ice-Gold Strike, by Smart Strike

More on Rich Strike

Mo Donegal, post position 6, 5-2

Irad Ortiz pats Mo Donegal after a hard-fought Remsen (Joe Labozzetta/Coglianese Photos)

Derby fifth earlier handed Early Voting his only loss in the Wood Memorial (G2).

Owner: Donegal Racing and Repole Stable; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Pedigree: Uncle Mo-Callingmissbrown, by Pulpit

More on Mo Donegal

Barber Road, post position 8, 10-1

Consistent placegetter through the Oaklawn Park preps was a wide-trip sixth in the Derby.

Owner: WSS Racing; Trainer: John Ortiz; Jockey: Joel Rosario

Pedigree: Race Day-Encounter, by Southern Image

More on Barber Road

Preakness graduates

Creative Minister, post position 5, 6-1

Creative Minister at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)

Lightly-raced colt more than reimbursed his $150,000 supplemental fee with a staying-on third.

Owner: Fern Circle Stables & Back Racing; Trainer: Kenny McPeek; Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Pedigree: Creative Cause-Tamboz, by Tapit

More on Creative Minister

Skippylongstocking, post position 2, 20-1

Skippylongstocking at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos)

Preakness fifth was previously third in the Wood Memorial.

Owner: Daniel Alonso; Trainer: Saffie Joseph; Jockey: Manny Franco

Pedigree: Exaggerator-Twinkling, by War Chant

More on Skippylongstocking

Newcomers

Nest, post position 3, 8-1

Nest wins the Ashland Stakes (Photo by Coady Photography)

Ashland (G1) romper comes off a runner-up effort as the favorite in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Owners: Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Michael House; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Pedigree: Curlin-Marion Ravenwood, by A.P. Indy

More on Nest

We the People, post position 1, 2-1

We the People wins the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park (Photo by NYRA/Joe Labozzetta/Adam Coglianese Photography)

Peter Pan conqueror was rebounding from a seventh in the Arkansas Derby (G1), his only loss.

Owners: WinStar Farm, CMNWLTH, Siena Farm & Bobby Flay; Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset; Jockey: Flavien Prat

Pedigree: Constitution-Letchworth, by Tiznow

More on We the People

Golden Glider, post position 7, 20-1

Golden Glider wins at Tampa Bay Downs (Photo by SV Photography)

Distant second in the Peter Pan had finished fourth in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and Blue Grass (G1).

Owners: Gary Barber, Manfred Conrad & Penny Conrad; Trainer: Mark Casse; Jockey: Dylan Davis

Pedigree: Ghostzapper-Golden Scarf, by Orientate

More on Golden Glider