How to bet with, and against, Stone Age in the Belmont Derby

Turf racing at Belmont Park (Photo by NYRA/Coglianese Photography)

A big field of 13 three-year-olds will run 1 1/4 miles on the Belmont inner turf in the lucrative $1 million Belmont Derby (G1) on Saturday. The much anticipated race has a major international presence in it with five of the contenders coming in from Europe, including morning-line choice #13 Stone Age (9-2).

Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the Group 3 hero is full of class and will surely improve off of his sixth-place result in the recent English Derby (G1) at Epsom. The Irish-bred bay went close to winning at the highest level when second in his juvenile finale in France, and I believe that he will enjoy both the course, and the possibility of firmer turf, as well.

Stone Age was not done any favors when drawing widest of all, but he might be good enough to overcome the 13 post. It’s a major positive that Ryan Moore comes in to guide the son of Galileo.

#TizTheBomb makes his next start in the Belmont Derby for @KennyMcPeek.

The son of #BreedersCup winner #HitItABomb looks to rebound from a 9th place finish in the #KyDerby.

Can he get it done back on the grass?

Handicap with @Brisnet's FREE PPs ⤵️ https://t.co/ozdtbDYVEn pic.twitter.com/lvkVUElZzY
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) July 7, 2022

Whenever conditioner Charlie Appleby sends a horse to the U. S. to race, it seems wise to pay close attention to anything that he saddles. #10 Nations Pride (5-1), a Godolphin homebred, looms large in his stateside bow. By Teofilo, the colt finished well back at Epsom last time out but had won four in succession prior to that flop, and he seems poised to give a good account of himself on Saturday. Frankie Dettori taking the reins is always a positive.

#1 Implementation (20-1) is an intriguing exotics piece in the field in my opinion. Constitution colt might not possess the raw talent of a few others in the cast, but he stretches out to 10 panels for the initial time, and he got a cozy rail draw, too. Group 3-placed Kentucky-bred from the Pia Brandt shedrow will save ground throughout the event under the guidance of John Velazquez.

Group 2 victor #8 Royal Patronage (12-1), another European import, has faced top foes overseas in six straight outings and could be any kind in his U. S. debut. Trained by Charlie Johnston, the Wootton Bassett colt was outrun at Epsom most recently and rates a chance at the upset on Saturday. Joel Rosario will ride the French-bred.

The fifth invader is stakes winner #6 Machete (20-1), who has had the misfortune of running into superstar Vadeni in his last two races. He has endured a busy 2022 with six races under his belt so far, but at an expected big price, I feel that he is surely worth including at a number.