HALLANDALE BEACH, FL, June 6, 2023 — Trainer Todd Pletcher has a chance to win his fifth Belmont Stakes and tie the immortal Woody Stephens and will saddle the first and second favorite on the early line to do so.
Forte, who missed the Derby with a minor foot injury and did not clear the necessary 14 days to run back in the Preakness–had he gotten the green light from the examining veterinarian for the Kentucky Racing Commission–will debut in the 2023 Triple Crown series as the 5-2 favorite.
Last year’s juvenile champion will leave from post 6 in a field of 9. Stablemate Tapit Trice breaks from post 2 while Kentucky Derby third-finisher Angel of Empire leaves from post 8 and will wear blinkers for the race.
National Treasure, who won the Preakness Stakes adding blinkers, drew post position 4. The following is the Belmont field in post order, with early line odds:
Belmont Stakes 155
- Tapit Shoes (20-1)
- Tapit Trice (3-1)
- Arcangelo (8-1)
- National Treasure (5-1)
- Il Miracolo (30-1)
- Forte (5-1)
- Hot Show (10-1)
- Angel of Empire (7-2)
- Red Route One (15-1)
