Arcangelo, under jockey Javier Castellano, wins the Belmont Stakes ahead of Forte, Tapit Trice, Hit Show and Angel of Empire
NYRA/Adam Coglianese
With no “superhorses” emerging from the Triple Crown series as a clear-cut champion of their generation, the summer stakes season will ultimately prove pivotal in the quest for the 3-year-old title this year.
After three great classics, six horses who took part in at least one leg of the Triple Crown are emerging as key contenders for the 3-year-old championship, and possibly Horse of the Year honors should they impress in the second half of the year.
These horses already have great wins under their belts, and will be looking to further their resumes in major races coming up this summer such as the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth, the Travers Stakes at Saratoga and the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing.
Let’s take a look at six thoroughbreds whom we believe have the best chance of capturing the 3-year-old championship, and their odds…
1.) Forte
Last race: 2nd Belmont Stakes
Previous wins: Florida Derby, Fountain of Youth Stakes
Trainer: Todd Pletcher/Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Our odds: 3-1
He was scratched the morning of the Kentucky Derby with a foot bruise, an injury that also kept him out of the Preakness Stakes, and followed up with a second-place effort in the Belmont Stakes. So why are we giving him favoritism in the 3-year-old championship race? Consider that the Belmont was Forte’s first performance off a nine-week layoff dating back to a gutsy Florida Derby victory. He finished well ahead of National Treasure, the Preakness champion, and was only beaten by the winner Arcangelo by 3 lengths. Not a bad first start back off a long break, especially considering the grueling nature of the 1 1/2 mile Belmont Stakes. Horse Racing Nation has Forte as possible for either the July 22 Haskell or the July 29 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. A win in either race will make him the prohibitive Travers Stakes favorite —…
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