How to bet the Belmont Derby

A total of five graded stakes events will take place on a major day of racing on Saturday at Belmont Park, including the $250,000 Belmont Derby (G1). The 1 1/4-miles turf endeavor attracted a well-matched field of nine 3-year-olds.

Belmont Derby Analysis

#3 Mo Ready appears to be the lone runner in the field capable of showing speed from the gate. I expect the New York-bred to lead the cast to the top of the stretch at big odds. #1 No Word and #4 Domestic Spending will track the pacesetter.

Belmont Derby Contenders

#1 NO WORD (9-2) -- Improving son of Silent Name ran his best race to date when a half-length third in the Saratoga Invitational Derby most recently. Dark bay homebred gets a great post draw on the rail, and he can surely be the one with another forward move over a course that he has run well on in the past. Regular pilot Jose Ortiz will be up on the sharp colt.

#2 GUFO (3-1) -- Consistently very good chestnut from the Clement barn just missed despite a tough trip in the Saratoga Derby last time out. Declaration of War colt was a winner in four straight leading up to that performance, and he is a top-three must use in his local debut beneath Junior Alvarado.

#3 MO READY (30-1) -- Gelded son of Uncle Mo was a smart allowance winner against lesser last time, but he could be dangerous as controlling speed in his graded bow. Empire State-bred bay is a question mark from a class standpoint, but he is training well and could get brave if left alone for a long time. Kendrick Carmouche has the assignment.

#4 DOMESTIC SPENDING (5-2) -- Saratoga Derby victor is 3-for-4 lifetime with room for improvement for Chad Brown. Son of Kingman has earned triple-digit Brisnet Late Pace numbers in three straight, and he displayed good positional speed last time at a similar distance. Javier Castellano inherits the ride atop the key contender.

#5 SOUTH BEND (12-1) -- Durable sort will make his 10th outing of 2020 in search of his first win of the season. Algorithms colt never factored in the Kentucky Derby (G1) when finishing last, but he has displayed a nice turn of foot on the green in the past and could earn a minor share late with a lifetime best. Dylan Davis will ride.

#6 PIXELATE (5-1) -- Del Mar Derby (G2) victor has won or placed in each of his 11 lifetime tries to date for Stidham. City Zip colt was a close second in the Awad S. on the surface as a juvenile, and he brings obvious great form to the field on Saturday. Kentucky-bred colt will be stalking the pace from midpack early on with Jose Lezcano in the silks.

#7 VENEZUELAN HUG (8-1) -- Gray son of Constitution exits an excellent allowance score at Saratoga most recently for Gargan. Upset contender has displayed a fine turn of foot since being claimed by this outfit, though his lone poor showing came at Belmont Park two prior. Florida-bred is training swiftly and will have Manny Franco in the controls.

#8 MOON OVER MIAMI (6-1) -- Dueling Grounds Derby winner has improved since adding blinkers three back and rates a chance in his first run over the Belmont green. Bill Mott pupil could be compromised by a slow early pace, though he has never been better and surely deserves a top-three chance under Eric Cancel.

#9 AJOURNEYTOFREEDOM (20-1) -- Recent Mike Maker claim was trounced in his lone graded try to date and draws widest of all in the field, as well. Hard Spun gelding has yet to win on turf and would be a surprise against this bunch.

Belmont Derby Wagers

• $1 Superfecta: 4 with 1,2,6 with 1,2,6,7,8 with 1,2,6,7,8 ($36)
• $.50-cent Superfecta: 1,2,6 with 4 with 1,2,6,7,8 with 1,2,6,7,8 ($18)