Tipsheet: 2022 Belmont Stakes
Mo Donegal motored late to win the Wood Memorial (Photo by Janet Garaguso/Coglianese Photos)
June 8th, 2022
A strong field of eight three-year-olds will travel 1 1/2 miles over "Big Sandy" in Saturday’s much-anticipated $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1).
Belmont Stakes Picks
- #6 Mo Donegal
- #1 We The People
- #2 Skippylongstocking
- #3 Nest
Belmont Stakes Wagers
- $30 win and place: #6 Mo Donegal
- $2 superfecta: 6 with 1,2 with 1,2,3 with all
Belmont Stakes Contenders
#1 WE THE PEOPLE blitzed his foes with a gate-to-wire romp in the local prep for this, the Peter Pan S. (G3). The Rodolphe Brisset trainee is 3-for-4 lifetime with dominant scores in each of his victories, and the Constitution colt will be tough to pass with even minor improvement off of his latest performance with Flavien Prat in the controls.
#2 SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING checked in third in the Wood Memorial S. (G2) two back prior to registering a fifth-place result in the Preakness S. (G1) last time out. The Saffie Joseph trainee has moved forward as the distances have increased this season, and he has a lot of appeal to me at a big price on the stretch out on Saturday. Manny Franco riding is a good thing with his extensive knowledge of the unique course.
SPOTTED! #BelmontStakes contenders putting in the work this morning at Belmont Park! Skippylongstocking, We The People, Nest & Mo Donegal, Golden Glider! 👀 pic.twitter.com/W9NXLiUX2F
— Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) June 4, 2022
SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING arrives at the Belmont Stakes looking to improve off a fifth-place effort in the Preakness. Every horse in this Belmont field could win just on looks! pic.twitter.com/zCkYzyosdP
— Mary Eddy🏇🏼 (@singmysongbird) June 2, 2022
#3 NEST romped in the Ashland S. (G1) at Keeneland, which preceded a runner-up performance in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in her latest venture. One of two major players in the field for Todd Pletcher, the filly will tackle the boys and could surely factor with a forward move in the 12-furlong contest. The Curlin miss is bred to run all day and wouldn’t be a major surprise beneath Jose Ortiz.
#4 RICH STRIKE shocked when overcoming the widest post in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and will aim for his second classic victory at Belmont Park. The Eric Reed charge skipped the middle leg of the Triple Crown to be fresh for this affair, and the Keen Ice colt figures to do well with the added distance, as well. Sonny Leon will ride the Kentucky-bred once again, but his unfamiliarity with Big Sandy could pose a problem.
Rich Strike with Sonny Leon wins the 148th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
#5 CREATIVE MINISTER has come a long way in a short amount of time for Kenny McPeek. The gray son of Creative Cause was a very good third in the Preakness S. (G1) while making his stakes debut most recently, and another move in the right direction will have him challenging for a placing late in this spot. Regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. will be up.
#6 MO DONEGAL gets top billing for Pletcher. The stout sophomore was a bit unlucky when fifth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) last time out, but he seems like an ideal fit for the Belmont with his pedigree and running style. The son of Uncle Mo is a previous winner over the surface, and he hails from a barn that has endured a lot of success in the race in the past. Irad Ortiz Jr. taking the reins adds to the appeal of my selection.
#7 GOLDEN GLIDER has yet to prove that he belongs in the upper echelon of his division at this stage of his development for Mark Casse. The talented Ghostzapper colt has shown improvement in his last pair, but he looks to be a cut below the top guns in the field, in my opinion.
#8 BARBER ROAD always fires and has to be given a chance at a minor award for conditioner John Ortiz. The consistently good Race Day colt has outrun his pedigree all season, but he draws widest in the cast and is a big question mark with the removal of blinkers, too. I will be shocked if he upsets the cast with Joel Rosario taking the reins.
