Tipsheet: 2023 Belmont Stakes

A total of nine three-year-olds will travel the grueling 1 1/2 miles over Big Sandy in Saturday’s $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1).

Belmont Stakes Picks

• #2 Tapit Trice
• #4 National Treasure
• #6 Forte
• #8 Angel of Empire

Belmont Stakes Wagers

• $30 win: #2 Tapit Trice
• $5 exacta key box: 2 with 4,6,8
• $1 trifecta box: 2,4,6,8
• $.50-cent superfecta: 2 with 4,6,8 with 4,6,8 with all

Belmont Stakes Contenders

#1 TAPIT SHOES (20-1): Ever-improving son of Tapit gets an ideal draw on the rail and has top-three appeal for Brad Cox, who has a trio of contenders in the field. The chestnut colt exits a good effort at Oaklawn Park last time out and is bred to be comfortable at the 12-furlong distance. The Kentucky-bred will be in range to the top of the lane under Jose Ortiz.

#2 TAPIT TRICE (3-1): The $1.3 million purchase burst onto the scene this campaign with impressive victories in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Bluegrass S. (G1), and he made a belated run to be seventh in the Kentucky Derby (G1) in his most recent offering. The gray son of Tapit has long given the impression of a sophomore that will thrive in this type of race, and his best showing will make him especially tough with Luis Saez in the irons.

#3 ARCANGELO (8-1): The Arrogate gray has improved his Brisnet Speed number with each lifetime try for trainer Jena Antonucci. The bargain $35,000 purchase was quite game in annexing the Peter Pan S. (G3) on the surface in his most recent outing, and the ascending Kentucky-bred is not without a chance in the event with another major step forward. Javier Castellano will be in the controls.

#4 NATIONAL TREASURE (5-1): The Bob Baffert pupil led throughout in the Preakness S. (G1) and will be the one to catch once again beneath John Velazquez. The Quality Road gelding has the ideal steady running style to thrive at the distance, and he also has room to improve while making just his third run since January. He posted a bullet morning drill in his latest workout, as well.

#5 IL MIRACOLO (30-1): Outsider in the field was a smart allowance victor at Gulfstream Park most recently, but the Gun Runner colt will need to take a massive step forward to make the frame against this cast. The chestnut would be a huge surprise on Saturday. Marcos Meneses will be up.

#6 FORTE (5-2): The champion colt is 2-for-2 this campaign with tallies in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) for Todd Pletcher. The dark bay son of Violence has been training in strong fashion as of late, led by a bullet move last time, and the consistently excellent colt is a top-three must-use with regular pilot Irad Ortiz Jr. in the silks.

#7 HIT SHOW (10-1): Withers S. (G3) romper ran mostly evenly from the tricky rail post to be fifth in the Run for the Roses for Brad Cox. The talented Gary and Mary West homebred possesses tactical speed and a useful turn of foot, and he could be in the mix for a placing with a step forward in the Test of the Champion. Manny Franco will take the reins.

#8 ANGEL OF EMPIRE (7-2): Arkansas Derby (G1) star finished full of run in the Kentucky Derby (G1) when a fine third as the slight favorite for conditioner Brad Cox. The ultra-talented son of Classic Empire has really elevated his game in 2023 and gives the impression of a colt who will be able to handle the move to 12 furlongs on Saturday, too. Flavien Prat will guide the Keystone State-bred.

#9 RED ROUTE ONE (15-1): Late-running son of Gun Runner gave a solid account of himself when fourth in the recent Preakness S. (G1) for trainer Steve Asmussen. The well-bred sophomore might appreciate the extra distance with which to work with in the Belmont, but he still looks to be a cut below the major players in the heat, in my opinion. Joel Rosario will be in the stirrups.