HANDICAPPER HELPER: Bettors Guide to the Belmont Stakes

The distance to which he referred was 1½ miles, a quarter of a mile farther than the 2024 Triple Crown finale will be. The massive renovation project at Belmont Park forced the New York Racing Association to switch the race to smaller Saratoga Race Course, whose dimensions require that it be staged at 1¼ miles.

The change made more trainers eager to enter, so for the first time in 11 years it drew the winners of the Kentucky Derby (Mystik Dan) and the Preakness (Seize the Grey). Chad Brown will run Derby runner-up Sierra Leone, saying he probably would have skipped it if it had been at 1½ miles.

Fun factoid: Except for Triple Crown heroes American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018), the last Belmont winner to compete in all three classics was Afleet Alex (2005). Will the shorter distance negate that extended trend?

Todd Pletcher, a protégé of Lukas, also has four Belmont victories, and all had a five-week layoff after skipping the Preakness. The mantra this century has been “Fresh horses win the Belmont,” so should you downgrade Mystik Dan and Seize the Grey? Or will they be able to hold their form thanks to the shorter distance?

We’ll find out shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday. Hopefully, this horse-by-horse analysis will help you make the right decision.

Looked great on a clear lead in muddy Preakness, but I don’t think he’ll get loose again. Odds are generous, but can he run big again in his third race in five weeks? Seems unlikely.

Betting verdict: I don’t think Saturday will be his day. Pass.

Had an impossible post (18) for a stalker in the Derby but still made an impressive wide move to be second on the stretch turn before fading to sixth. His flying finish in Sunday’s workout suggests he’s very sharp and may be ready to peak at big odds. “He’s doing real well,” said trainer Bill Mott.

Betting verdict: Live longshot is a win contender.

Gritty colt was fully extended to hang on in the Derby, which he probably wouldn’t have won if Sierra Leone and Forever Young hadn’t bothered each other down the stretch. Couldn’t catch Seize the Grey at Pimlico; feels like he’s due to regress.

Betting verdict: Use underneath.

Never worse than second and always gets bet, but 0-for-3 going two turns against weaker fields. Speed figures don’t measure up.

Betting verdict: Throw him out.

Ran big in the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan, and his pedigree says he’ll handle 1¼ miles without much trouble. Hall of Fame connections have dominated Saratoga this century and have won dozens of big races together.

Betting verdict: Live longshot who fits in exotics. Worth a small win-place bet.

Lost his early speed and his form since wiring a weak, scratch-ravaged Fountain of Youth. Since nosing out Sierra Leone last December, he’s headed south while that colt improved a lot.

Betting verdict: Throw him out.

He’s 0-for-4 lifetime and never threatened late in his three two-turn races. Maidens don’t win the Belmont Stakes.

Betting verdict: Throw him out.

Like Sierra Leone, he’s a deep closer, just not nearly as talented. Had no chance in the Derby after a brutal start that led to an awful trip. He’s 0-for-3 this year and seems up against it.

Betting verdict: Best scenario is closing for third or fourth. Don’t bet him to win.

Logical favorite always comes with a big run from far back, regardless of the pace. He’s the horse to beat, two noses from being 5-for-5, and shortening the race to 1¼ miles suits him.

Betting verdict: Serious win contender.

He’s the Belmont’s wild card, undefeated and unchallenged while crushing his two races by a combined 20½ lengths. Asking a lot to win a 1¼-mile Grade 1 first time around two turns. Post 10 is no bargain, and 7-2 odds scream underlay. Great potential but looks like this move is too much too soon.

Betting verdict: Use underneath.