Belmont Stakes Experts’ Picks and Predictions: Who Will Win?

Hoppert: Winning is a lot to ask after that long a layoff. (He won the UAE 2000 Guineas in February.)

7. Jungle Runner

Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez Odds: 50-1

Drape: He lost his last two races by a combined 40 lengths. Enough said.

Hoppert: He hasn’t won a race since November and finished eighth in the first division of the Arkansas Derby his last time out. Pass.

8. Tiz the Law

Trainer: Barclay Tagg Jockey: Manny Franco Odds: 6-5

Drape: He is the best horse here, and perhaps anywhere, and simply blew by his rivals in the Florida Derby and the Holy Bull Stakes. Can I get over my aversion to favorites? Nope.

Hoppert: Not only is this New York-bred, who won the Florida Derby by four and a quarter lengths in March, the most talented of the bunch, but he also has sentimentality on his side as his team, of Funny Cide fame, returns to the spotlight. My pick (sorry, Joe, he’s too tough to bet against).

9. Dr Post

Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Odds: 5-1

Drape: This late-developing stalker will be moving with the favorite in the lane. I’m betting he gives him a run for his money.

Hoppert: He has won both of his starts this year and has Belmont Park’s leading jockey on his back, but is this distance an issue?

10. Pneumatic

Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. Odds: 8-1

Drape: This Uncle Mo colt tired in the stretch in his last race. He will be out of it even earlier here.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/article/belmont-stakes-picks-predictions.html