Get to know the 2018 Belmont contenders

🕒 May 21, 2018

The field has been drawn for the 150th Belmont Stakes

The Triple Crown trophy (Photos by Z)

All eyes will be on Justify as he seeks to complete a Triple Crown sweep in Saturday's 150th running of the Belmont S. (G1). Can he follow in the hoofsteps of Bob Baffert's last Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) winner American Pharoah, who ended the 37-year drought by sweeping the Triple Crown in 2015?

If so, Baffert would join fellow Hall of Famer "Sunny Jim" Fitzimmons as the trainer of two Triple Crown winners. Fitzsimmons prepared the only father-and-son tandem to turn the Derby/Preakness/Belmont treble, Gallant Fox (1930) and Omaha (1935).

But nine challengers will try to thwart Justify. The free Brisnet PPs for the field are available here, and you can find the Belmont news and features at this link.

Here are the Belmont entrants, with post positions and morning line odds following Wednesday's draw:

Horses coming out of the Preakness

Justify and Bravazo were separated by only a half-length at Pimlico (c) Maryland Jockey Club

JUSTIFY, Post 1, 4-5 favorite

The first Kentucky Derby winner in 136 years to have gone unraced at two, and now the first ever to take both the Derby and Preakness, aims to become the only unbeaten to wear the crown alongside Seattle Slew (1977).

Owner: China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing & WinStar Farm; Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: Mike Smith

Pedigree: by Scat Daddy-Stage Magic, by Ghostzapper

Justify news

BRAVAZO, Post 3, 8-1

Fast-finishing second to Justify at Pimlico was moving forward off a sneaky sixth in the Kentucky Derby, cycling back to his sharp winter form when he captured the Risen Star (G2).

Owner: Calumet Farm; Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas; Jockey: Luis Saez

Pedigree: by Awesome Again-Tiz o'Gold, by Cee's Tizzy

Bravazo news

Tenfold will try to win the Belmont trophy that sire Curlin could not (c) Coady Photography

TENFOLD, Post 7, 12-1

Close third in the Preakness vindicated connections' faith in the inexperienced colt who suffered his first loss when fifth in the Arkansas Derby (G1).

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds; Trainer: Steve Asmussen; Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

Pedigree: by Curlin-Temptress, by Tapit

Tenfold news

Horses coming out of the Derby

Hofburg (outside of Audible) has a strong pedigree for the Belmont (c) Coglianese/Andie Biancone

HOFBURG, Post 4, 9-2

Florida Derby (G1) runner-up was a better-than-appears seventh in the Kentucky Derby after running into costly trouble.

Owner: Juddmonte Farms; Trainer: Bill Mott; Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Pedigree: by Tapit-Soothing Touch, by Touch Gold

Hofburg news

VINO ROSSO, Post 8, 8-1

Vino Rosso, like Tenfold, is by Curlin (c) Coglianese Photography

Hero of the Wood Memorial (G2) was among those closing from far back in the Derby, improving position from 18th into ninth on the wire.

Owner: Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: John Velazquez

Pedigree: by Curlin-Mythical Bride, by Street Cry

Vino Rosso news

FREE DROP BILLY, Post 2, 30-1

Breeders' Futurity (G1) victor placed in a trio of points races this season but needs to show more after fading to 16th in the Derby.

Owner: Albaugh Family Stables; Trainer: Dale Romans; Jockey: Robby Albarado

Pedigree: by Union Rags-Trensa, by Giant's Causeway

Free Drop Billy news

NOBLE INDY, Post 9, 30-1

Gutsy Louisiana Derby (G2) winner in a three-way tussle faded to an uncharacteristic 17th in the Derby.

Owner: WinStar Farm & Repole Stable; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: Javier Castellano

Pedigree: by Take Charge Indy-Noble Maz, by Storm Boot

Noble Indy news

Newcomers

Blended Citizen aims to become just the third Peter Pan winner in 26 years to add the Belmont (c) NYRA/Coglianese

BLENDED CITIZEN, Post 10, 15-1

The Derby also-eligible, who just missed the cut at number 21 on the points list, went on to capture the Peter Pan (G3) at Belmont -- his first dirt win to go along with a score in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on Polytrack.

Owner: Greg Hall & SAYJAY Racing; Trainer Doug O'Neill; Jockey: Kyle Frey

Pedigree: by Proud Citizen-Langara Lass, by Langfuhr

Blended Citizen news

GRONKOWSKI, Post 6, 12-1

Gronkowski has been transferred from English trainer Jeremy Noseda to New York's Chad Brown (c) John Hoy

Winner of the European Road to the Kentucky Derby had to miss out on the Run for the Roses after an ill-timed illness and has pleased new trainer Chad Brown with his works.

Owner: Phoenix Thoroughbred & Rob Gronkowski; Trainer: Chad Brown; Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Pedigree: by Lonhro-Four Sugars, by Lookin at Lucky

Gronkowski news

RESTORING HOPE, Post 5, 30-1

Stablemate of Justify did not earn sufficient Derby points when only third in the Wood Memorial and instead ran in the Pat Day Mile (G3) on Derby Day, winding up 12th.

Owner: Gary & Mary West; Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: Florent Geroux

Pedigree: by Giant's Causeway-Symbol of Freedom, by Tapit

Restoring Hope news