See 3 Belmont Stakes runners with a win over 'Big Sandy'

Besides the long distance itself, the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday presents other unique challenges to its entrants.

For one, the 1 1/2-mile dirt oval is unique compared with most one-mile ovals at other racetracks. In addition, the sand-based dirt is regarded as more deep and tiring than other dirt surfaces.

With the extra challenges in mind, it might help to point out potential Belmont starters with successful experience over this racetrack.

Here are three probable Belmont entries with at least one win over “Big Sandy” and a short assessment of their chances before Tuesday’s draw.

Mo Donegal

Last October, Mo Donegal broke his maiden at Belmont by 1 1/2 lengths at the  1 1/16-mile route distance. Before winning his first race, he also ran third locally in his career debut while sprinting.

This year, Mo Donegal’s highlights include running down a loose Early Voting to capture the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct in April and finishing a good fifth in the Kentucky Derby after drawing the dreaded rail position.

Pedigree-wise, Mo Donegal is supposed to handle 12 furlongs. Some analysts might balk at seeing Uncle Mo on top. On the bottom half of the pedigree, though, there are names such as A.P. Indy and Tabasco Cat. The second dam Island Sand won the 2005 Delaware Handicap at 1 1/4 miles.

Mo Donegal has been working regularly at Belmont since May 20, which should help him further prepare for this course and long distance.

If Irad Ortiz Jr. rides Mo Donegal again for trainer Todd Pletcher, that is another plus, since Ortiz knows how to time moves properly at Belmont. 

Overall, Mo Donegal looks like a contender who will love the course and distance.

Nest

Back in September, Nest broke her maiden at Belmont by an impressive five lengths at the 1 1/16-mile distance. She won at first asking while competing in a route, which means Pletcher saw stamina in this filly immediately.

In Nest’s second start she ran in the Tempted Stakes on the same course and lost this time. To Nest’s credit, she did grind away to a closing third-place finish and only lost by three-quarters of a length to Gerrymander. Cutting back from 1 1/16 miles to only one mile did not help this long-winded filly.

Two months ago Nest won the Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland by 8 1/4 lengths. One month later she finished second to Secret Oath in the Kentucky Oaks. Secret Oath flattened out to fourth in the Preakness Stakes, which raises the concern that the fillies are not fast enough. 

Pedigree-wise, Nest hails from an excellent stamina family with Curlin on top and the A.P. Indy mare Marion Ravenwood on the bottom. Nest is a full sister to Idol, who won the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) last year.

Similar to Mo Donegal, Nest has been working at Belmont since May 20.

Again, though, the concern is that the fillies are not fast enough this year. Secret Oath could not even hit the exacta in two tries against males, and she beat Nest fair and square in the Kentucky Oaks. 

Then again, the marathon distance always could move Nest up. Sometimes in these marathon races, it is just a matter of staying near the front and outlasting the competition without any flashy moves.  

As shown by her maiden win, Nest enjoys the main track at Belmont, and the pedigree obviously looks excellent in terms of lasting 1 1/2 miles.

We the People

Only three weeks ago We the People took the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Belmont by an impressive 10 1/4 lengths after controlling the early tempo.

Prior to the Belmont win he started three times at Oaklawn for trainer Rodolphe Brisset and won two out of those starts. His lone clunker came in the Arkansas Derby (G1), where he faded to seventh after never getting into the race.

We the People thrives when he runs freely up front. When he could not find the lead in the Arkansas Derby after running wide on the first turn, his chances were gone. Luckily for him the current Belmont pace scenario appears moderate to soft without any crazy speed horses.  

For the most part, We the People’s pedigree is good for 12 furlongs, although the dam line is not ideal for longer races. His second dam is Harmony Lodge, a daughter of Hennessy who won the 2003 Ballerina Stakes (G2) at Saratoga among other races in her 24-race career. 

To counter the dam line, We the People’s sire is Constitution. That makes him a grandson of the stamina-influence Tapit. Tapit has sired four Belmont winners already, including last year’s champion Essential Quality.

Going back to the dam side, We the People’s damsire is Tiznow, the two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner.

If interested in playing We the People, take more time to review the pace scenario after the draw is available. We the People’s chances to steal the Belmont improve if it looks like he can secure the lead and run freely over “Big Sandy.” Right now, that scenario is possible.