Belmont Stakes 2017 Early Odds and Analysis

The 2017 Belmont Stakes lost a bit of luster when both the Kentucky Derby winner, Always Dreaming, and the Preakness winner, Cloud Computing, were declared out of the final leg of the Triple Crown. Without them, the 2016 Juvenile Champion, Classic Empire should rule a decisive choice in the Test of a Champion. Coming off a heartbreaking loss in the Middle Jewel, the son of Pioneerof The Nile does not look to be scaring anyone off, though. The June 10 classic is poised to have a full field. Here is what have as of now ...

Classic Empire (3-2) - The best juvenile in the land last year has been unlucky not to collect either of the first two legs of the Triple Crown. He finished fourth despite an awful trip at Churchill Downs, and then did all the dirty work, before succumbing late to a fresh and talented Preakness winner. If he can run his fourth big race in an eight-week span, the Mark Casse trained champion looms strictly the one to beat.

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Lookin At Lee (6-1) - On the one hand, this son of two-time champion Lookin at Lucky has not won in his last eight starts. On the other hand, he rallies every single race, most notably taking home second-place money in the Kentucky Derby. Will the 12-furlongs of the Belmont finally be the tonic he needs to get over the hump? A solid early pace certainly would improve his chances.

Irish War Cry (8-1) - After winning his first two starts at Laurel Park, this New Jerrsey-bred son of two-time Horse of the Year, Curlin has been on again, off again. His sharp wins in the Holy Bull and Wood Memorial are offset by disappointing runs in the Fountain of Youth and Kentucky Derby. Flattered by Cloud Computing's win in the Preakness, Irish War Cry, at his best, is a threat. Especially if he can stalk a typically moderate Belmont pace.

Tapwrit (10-1) - All things considered, the Tampa Bay Derby winner threw in a solid performance, while sixth in the Kentucky Derby. By skipping the Preakness, the son of Tapwrit should be ready to run a strong final leg of the Triple Crown. Similar tactics worked well in recent years for other Todd Pletcher trained horses, Palace Malice and Destin, who like Tapwrit, had enough early speed to stay close early in the Belmont.

Senior Investment (10-1) - If you liked the good looking son of Discreetly Mine, you should have been happy with his Preakness performance. He zipped home late to go from seventh to third in the final 100 yards. Trainer Kenny McPeek will look to keep the positive momentum of the Lexington Stakes winner moving forward at Belmont Park, where he will look to get his late run going a little sooner.

Epicharis (12-1) - The X-Factor of this year's Belmont Stakes has plenty to like, including a near spotless record which only counts a narrow loss in the rich UAE Derby as his only career defeat. The grandson of Sunday Silence has the speed to be on the lead early, and might just have the class to compete all the way around. Also of note, this is the race they have been pointing for all along.

Gormley (15-1) - He's a little like Irish War Cry with his up and down record for trainer John Shirreffs, but as a three-time graded stakes winner, the son of Malibu Moon should not be discounted. Remember in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby he persevered to win in a stagger fest late. It's certainly not out of the question to see a tired field hit the stretch of this year's Belmont Stakes, much like at Santa Anita.

Twisted Tom (15-1) - Although his perfect record in 2017 has come against lesser competition, Twisted Tom looks to be a real improving horse of late for the hottest trainer this side of Venus. It would be a real coup for Chad Brown to train two different horses to win the Preakness and the Belmont, but in this late nominee, he has a horse with an explosive finish, who might just make some noise.

Conquest Mo Money (20-1) - At first glance, you may want to dismiss him because of a seventh-place finish in the Preakness. I say not so fast, my friends. He broke a bit slow from the far outside post, and was never able to get a good forwardly placed position. Still, the game son of Uncle Mo kept trying and finished not all that far from third. Better position early in the Belmont could make him a pesky adversary late.

J Boys Echo (20-1) - An impressive winner of the Gotham last time he invaded the Big Apple, this Dale Romans runner will look to prove that he is a better horse than his 15th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby suggests. He certainly did not have a great trip in Louisville, and his pedigree suggests that he can handle the distance. A much improved performance is not out of the question.

Patch (20-1) - The darling of the Kentucky Derby was left with so much to do at Churchill Downs coming from the far fence. It was enough to draw a line through his result in the Run for the Roses. With that experience behind him, and back at Belmont for Todd Pletcher, we should see more from the lightly raced grinder, who is a son of a Belmont Stakes winner in Union Rags. A one-eyed winner of the Belmont Stakes? Wouldn't that be a fun one!

Multiplier (20-1) - His fast win in the Illinois Derby could only translate to a sixth-place finish in Baltimore. Having said that, the son of The Factor was running well at the end of the Preakness, and was only a photo out of fourth. Can the Brendan Walsh runner improve off that to become a real factor in New York? The jury is still out, but I do like other late runners a bit better.

Meantime (30-1) - After a nice maiden score at Keeneland, trainer Brian Lynch sent this well-bred son of Shackleford into the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park. On an off track, he was game on the lead, but really was no match for the unbeaten Timeline late. Maybe I would like him more if there was no speed in here, but there is. The Belmont seems like a tall task.

True Timber (40-1) - You cannot say this one hasn't had his chances. After finishing in every spot from second through fifth in four consecutive graded stakes starts in New York, he shipped out of town to finish a respectable third in the Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness undercard. While there is nothing wrong with cashing a check in all these stakes races, I cannot say I like his chances in the final leg of the Triple Crown.