Post Position #2
Probable Odds: 3-1
Record:6 Starts: 4 Wins, 0 Second, 1 Third.
Lifetime Earnings: $883,650
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Sire: Tapit
Dam: Danzatrice (Dunkirk)
Tapit Trice Preview & Analysis
The #2 position at the Belmont Stakes went to Tapit Trice during Tuesday morning’s draw. Horses have won the Belmont Stakes 13 times out of the 2nd position, the fourth most in Belmont Stakes history. Tapit Trice currently comes in as one of the favorites in this race at 3-1 odds.
In four starts this year, Tapit Trice has three wins. Unfortunately, the Kentucky Derby was the lone time he was out of money. As the 9/2 second choice, Tapit Trice finished a disappointing 7th at the Derby before sitting out the Preakness.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has kept the horse off the track since the Derby and that could make this horse primed for a strong showing at Belmont. Pletcher will be looking for his sixth Triple Crown race win on Saturday and his second at Belmont. Pletcher has not won at Belmont since 2007.
Jockey Luis Saez has finished in the money in 47% of his starts this season including 132 first-place finishes. Saez has one career win at the Belmont Stakes in 2021.
How can Tapit Trice win the Belmont Stakes?
If he runs back to his pre Derby form, Tapit Trice is a big time contender in here. He’s always been a big time closer, which usually bode well in the Belmont Stakes, however, he has shown the ability to be a little closer to the lead and win, as he did in an allowance race in February, and the Bluegrass Stakes in April.
Note his tendency to break poorly from the gate and although it typically isn’t much of an issue at one mile-and-one-half, Saez will need to be patient and not feel the need to rush him up for position.
From a breeding standpoint, Tapit Trice is out of Tapit, and is bred to dun all day as many recent Belmont Stakes winners were sired by the same horse.
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Prepared by our Horse Racing expert handicapper who nailed this year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, you don’t want to miss out as he breaks down how he plans to earn his own ‘Triple Crown’ with a third big win on the Belmont Stakes!
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.
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.
National Treasure
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.
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.