Competitive Field Set to Run in $1.5 Million Belmont Stakes

Exaggerator will likely be the favorite in the field, probably less than even money when the gates open. The consistent colt, a son of 2007 Preakness Stakes (G1) champion Curlin, was second behind Nyquist in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and came back to win the Preakness Stakes (G1) handily over an off track at Pimlico. Since the Preakness, his jockey Kent Desormeaux had a brief stint in an alcohol rehabilitation facility but has been back in the tack this week at Belmont Park. Exaggerator is trained by Keith Desormeaux.

Gettysbury a front-running rabbit for Creator

One of the latest additions to the field has been Gettysburg who recently switched to the barn of Steve Asmussen after previously being trained by Todd Pletcher. The gray son of Pioneerof the Nile has one win from seven starts and is owned by WinStar Farm who also own the late-closing Creator. Gettysburg typically does his running on the front end and could set the pace for his closing stablemate.

Strong hand for trainer Todd Pletcher

Trainer Todd Pletcher is expected to have two starters in the race – Destin and Stradivari. Destin, a full brother to multiple graded stakes winner Creative Cause, has been freshened since a sixth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Stradivari, a son of Medaglia d’Oro, made his stakes debut in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and finished fourth after two consecutive victories. He will be trying to earn his first stakes win.