2015 Belmont Stakes Horses Pros and Cons

2015 Belmont Stakes Horses Pros and Cons: Understandably, people are doing some quick last minute research on the Belmont Stakes (GI) contenders and not everyone can be bothered with reading past performances or a super long analysis that raises a mountain of questions. For those types of bettors that just want a quick cheat sheet, here is a short paragraph on each horse.

Mubtaahij has a wonderful route pedigree and a New York-based jockey. The lack of lasix is a question mark for those that believe lasix works as a performance enhancer. His effort in the Kentucky Derby was okay, although Frosted and Materiality outkicked him.

Tale of Verve’s pedigree is fine underneath for longer distances and Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens takes the call. His trainer Dallas Stewart does not fare well in this race, and Tale of Verve will need to show some versatility rather than coming from too far back.

Madefromlucky just won on this racetrack a few weeks ago and this colt comes from the powerful Todd Pletcher stable. Javier Castellano is a smart jockey that wins at a high percentage and analyzes the race before he rides. Some point out Madefromlucky’s speed figures are too low.

The positives for Frammento are a very low. He is a closing plodder that made no impact in the Kentucky Derby. Yet, Nick Zito trains him, and he spoiled the Triple Crown bids in 2004 and 2008 with Birdstone and Da’ Tara. Also, Mike Smith as the pilot never hurts.

American Pharoah is the one going for a Triple Crown, and his strengths and weakness are well known. He is versatile, fast and undefeated this year. The major strike is the mystery surrounding his pedigree for 12 furlongs. Also, Victor Espinoza does not win often at Belmont Park.

Frosted is in great form and has received wonderful training reports. His pedigree of Tapit over a Deputy Minister mare is fine for 12 furlongs and the high percentage Kiaran McLaughlin trains. The negatives are low, besides the short value (gray horses will be bet).

Keen Ice’s pedigree is great too for 12 furlongs. The sire Curlin was the 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year, winning various route stakes. Whether Keen Ice is talented remains a question, as he lost all four starts this year. The connections for this horse are exactly the same as Dullahan in 2012.

Materiality showed off his exciting talent in the Florida Derby with big speed figures on all scales. His sire Afleet Alex won the Belmont in 2005. A poor start (he was behind Keen Ice early?) hampered his chances in the Kentucky Derby, but that can change here with a clean break. Todd Pletcher also trains this one.

Those are the horses for this year’s Belmont Stakes. Anything can happen in horse racing, so do not be discouraged by those writing that American Pharoah is a lock. Likewise, if American Pharoah is the best, then there is no avoiding him in tickets for those that cannot reason he will not fire. Skipping the race is an option too. Good luck to all those betting!

NBC will begin coverage of the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at 4:30 pm ET. Post time for the Belmont Stakes is set for approximately 6:50 pm ET and is the 11th race of the day at Belmont Park.

Belmont Stakes 2015 Post Positions & Odds
Race 11 6:50 pm ET
1 Mubtaahij 10-1 Jockey I. Ortiz/Trainer de Kock
2 Tale of Verve 15-1 Jockey Stevens/Trainer Stewart
3 Madefromlucky 12-1 Jockey Castellano/Trainer Pletcher
4 Frammento 30-1 Jockey Smith/Trainer Zito
5 American Pharoah 3-5 Jockey Espinoza/Trainer Baffert
6 Frosted 5-1 Jockey Rosario/Trainer McLaughlin
7 Keen Ice 20-1 Jockey Desormeaux/Trainer Romans
8 Materiality 6-1 Jockey Velazquez/Trainer Pletcher