Post Position: #4
Probable Odds: 5-1
Record: 6 starts, 2 Wins, 1 Second, 2 Thirds
Lifetime Earnings: $1,335,900
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Sire: Quality Road
Dam: Treasure (Medaglia D’oro)
National Treasure Preview & Analysis
The #4 position at the Belmont Stakes went to Preakness winner National Treasure, trained by legendary trainer Bob Baffert. Horses have won the Belmont Stakes 10 times out of the fourth position. National Treasure is listed at 5-1 to win the Belmont Stakes.
National Treasure has finished in the money twice in three starts this year including the win at the Preakness.
In six career starts, National Treasure has finished in the money five times including two first-place finishes. Velazquez has been in the money in 47% of his mounts this year including 37 first-place finishes. In terms of star power, few can match a horse trained by Baffert and ridden by Velazquez.
Can National Treasure repeat his performance at the Preakness in a slightly longer race while navigating a position towards the middle of the track? That will be decided on Saturday but the odds are improved with this team.
How Can National Treasure win the Belmont Stakes?
Pretty simple strategy here, get to the lead, slow the pace down, and stay there as long as he can. It worked in Baltimore in the Preakness, and if he can control the pace like he did 3 weeks ago, there’s no reason it can’t work again. Baffert will be going for his 18th Triple Crown race win on Saturday and his fourth at Belmont.
Baffert last won at Belmont in 2018 with Justify. Jockey John Velazquez will be looking for his 8th Triple Crown race win, including two wins at Belmont. Velazquez last won at Belmont in 2017.
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More Belmont Stakes Horse Profiles & Predictions
Tapit Shoes
Tapit Shoes has already gotten off to a good start at the Belmont Stakes by drawing the first position in the race. In the history of the Belmont Stakes, the #1 position has won the most times of any other position, 24 times.
Tapit Trice
In four starts this year, Tapit Trice has three wins. Unfortunately, the Kentucky Derby was the lone time he was out of money. Tapit Trice finished a disappointing 7th at the Derby before sitting out the Preakness.
Arcangelo
This will be Arcangelo’s first start in a Triple Crown race. Trainer Antonucci has just two career-graded stakes wins in her career.
Il Miracolo
Tied for the second-highest position to win the Belmont, the #5 position went to Il Miracolo in Tuesday’s draw. 15 times a horse has won the Belmont out of the #5 position. Il Miracolo has the longest odds on the board at 30-1.
Forte
Finally, Forte makes his long-awaited debut in a Triple Crown race this year. Expected to contend at the Kentucky Derby, Forte was a late scratch and then sat out the Preakness. Forte is the favorite to win the Belmont Stakes at 5-2 out of the sixth position.
Hit Show
Hit Show drew the 7th position in Tuesday’s draw, a position that has won the Belmont Stakes 14 times in the race’s history. Hit Show is another of trainer Brad Cox’s entrees and will be ridden by one of the top jockeys this year Manny Franco.
Angel of Empire
Angel of Empire is slotted for the eighth position in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. Just seven horses have won the Belmont Stakes from the eighth position. Angel of Empire is another entry from trainer Brad Cox and will be ridden by jockey Flavien Prat.
Red Route One
Red Route One will be on the far outside at the Belmont Stakes, drawing the 9th position on Saturday. Only four horses in the history of the Belmont Stakes have won the race from the 9th spot. Red Route One was a late scratch from the Kentucky Derby and took a fourth-place finish at the Preakness.