Belmont Stakes 2021: 12 possible starters in early lineup
The field for the 2021 Belmont Stakes is shaping up to be a strong one, with the three top choices from the Kentucky Derby eyeing a start along with the winner of the Preakness.
One who will not be there is Kentucky Oaks winner Malathaat. She had been a possibility for the Belmont, but she will instead will point toward the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga on July 24. (Read more here.)
Here is a look at the latest field for the June 5 race, with 12 runners listed as possible or probable in Horse Racing Nation's stakes tracker.
Essential Quality – Undefeated before his fourth-place finish as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby, he worked four furlongs in 48.2 at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. The Belmont Stakes is under consideration, trainer Brad Cox said after the Derby.
Midnight Bourbon – Sixth in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Preakness. Trainer Steve Asmussen said the Belmont is under consideration.
Hot Rod Charlie – In his first work since finishing third as the third choice in the Kentucky Derby, the Louisiana Derby (G2) winner worked five furlongs in 1:03.8 Saturday at Santa Anita. His connections said he is pointed to the Belmont.
Known Agenda – Ninth in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont-bound, the Florida Derby (G1) winner worked four furlongs in 48.8 at Belmont Park on Friday for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Rock Your World – His 17th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby was his only loss in four starts, and he is headed to the Belmont Stakes. The Santa Anita Derby winner worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Santa Anita Park on Friday for trainer John Sadler.
Rombauer – His Preakness score was the first Triple Crown race win for trainer Michael McCarthy, and Rombauer arrived at Belmont Park Monday looking for another in the Belmont. His last published work was May 8, when he went 5 furlongs in 59.8 at Santa Anita.
Rebel's Romance – The UAE Derby (G2) winner skipped the Kentucky Derby to point to the Belmont Stakes. He has not raced in North America, and workout information was not available.
Weyburn – The Gotham Stakes winner also passed on the Kentucky Derby, with trainer Jimmy Jerkens saying the Belmont was a possibility. He worked four furlongs Friday in 49.1 at Belmont Park.
Brooklyn Strong – Owner Mark Schwartz said in an email that he "can't wait: to run his $5,000 purchase and Remsen Stakes (G2) winner before a home crowd in New York. He does not have a published work since finishing 15th in the Kentucky Derby.
Keepmeinmind – Trainer Robertino Diodoro expects to make a decision later this week about whether to aim for the Belmont after finishing seventh in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Preakness.
Promise Keeper – Winner of the May 8 Peter Pan (G3), a Belmont Stakes prep. Trainer Todd Pletcher said Tuesday that he is a "maybe" for the Belmont.
France Go de Ina – The colt from Japan arrived at Belmont Park Monday after finishing seventh in the Preakness Stakes. The two-time winner also finished sixth in the UAE Derby.