Expert picks: Belmont Stakes 2019 predictions, longshots
Ahead of post time at 6:37 p.m. ET at Belmont Park, form your own opinion with free Belmont Stakes past performances. Good luck!
Bryan Brinkmeyer, The Kentucky Derby Post
Winner: #10 Tacitus
On the board: #3 Master Fencer, #9 War of Will
Longshot I like: #2 Everfast
Analysis: Though War of Will is breaking away from the rail this time, I still expect him to move to the front, where he'll find a close stalking position leading into the first turn and along the backstretch. What I think will be different than the Preakness is how difficult he'll find it to hang on at the distance. On the heels of racing in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, I predict War of Will to give way to other contenders that are fresher. Of them, Tacitus is my pick to win while Master Fencer and Everfast complete the trifecta.
Jeffrey Byrnes, Byrnzzze's Corner
Winner: #10 Tacitus
On the board: #9 War of Will, #8 Intrepid Heart
Longshot I like: #6 Spinoff
Analysis: Tacitus has been pointing for this race since his third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Coming from behind, he worked his way through traffic to get a placing. Sired by Tapit, out of a multiple Grade 1-winning dam, distance should not be a problem for him. He will get a moderate pace to chase, and jockey Jose Ortiz will work an outside trip. Class could prevail. Preakness Winner War of Will goes the longest distance of his career. He's a half to Tacticus (not to be confused with Tacitus) who won stakes races at Belmont going 1 5/8 miles. The biggest concern is War Front hasn't sired a top marathoner. Intrepid Heart lost all chance at the start in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3). He's a half sibling to Commissioner, who was second in this race five years ago. Trains like he wants to go this far. Blinkers on should help, as he will be much closer to the pace than last time. Spinoff was not a fan of the sloppy main track on Derby day. He gets much better post and should work out a good trip. He sports among highest speed figures of any horse in the field, and a fast main track will help him. I will play a 10-9-8-6 superfecta box.
Candice Curtis (@skipaway2000)
Winner: #10 Tacitus
On the board: #5 Bourbon War, #6 Spinoff
Longshot I like: #7 Sir Winston
Analysis: Tacitus has pointed for this race and looks to be at the top of his game. His running style suits the Belmont Stakes, and sire Tapit has made a mark on the race as well with three previous winners. Play with pressers Spinoff and War of Will in second and save your deep closers like Sir Winston and Master Fencer for the bottom of the ticket.
My Plays: 50-cent trifecta (10/ 6,9/ 3,7) and 10-cent superfecta (10/ 6,9/ 3,6,9,7/ 3,7).
Jarrod Horak, Pick 6 Blog
Winner: #10 Tacitus
On the board: #6 Spinoff, #8 Intrepid Heart
Longshot I like: #7 Sir Winston
Analysis: When the Triple Crown is not on the line, the Belmont Stakes is usually won by a fresh horse, and Tacitus is clearly the one to beat. This race was his target the minute he crossed the line in the Kentucky Derby, and he is training forwardly for this. The two-time graded winner owns a classy pedigree and figures to strike from mid-pack for Belmont Stakes-winning connections Jose Ortiz and Bill Mott. Spinoff and Intrepid Heart are both trained by Todd Pletcher. The former improved in his first four starts before stubbing his toe in the Derby. The latter is lightly raced and owns the best mile and a half pedigree in the field. Sir Winston exits an encouraging second in the Peter Pan and can hit the board.
Jonathan Lintner (@JonathanLintner)
Winner: #9 War of Will
On the board: #10 Tacitus, #4 Tax
Longshot I like: #6 Spinoff
Analysis: Well, someone has to be a contrarian here. Tacitus is a nice horse, but he has frequently left himself too much ground to make up. I'll hope that's the case again here in selecting the more tactical War of Will. He relaxed well in the Preakness, and that'll be key to conserving his energy. I'll have to hope he has the stamina and, frankly, the speed given he's below par on numbers for a Belmont winner even with his Preakness Stakes score. But War of Will should be the one to catch off the turn assuming Joevia is cheap speed, and Mark Casse has been saying since early in the year that this colt thrives on more racing. I can see Tax staying on for a piece of it as well thanks to a moderate projected pace and similar approach to War of Will.
Reinier Macatangay, Setting the Pace
Winner: #10 Tacitus
On the board: #7 Sir Winston, #9 War of Will
Longshot I like: #4 Tax
Analysis: Tacitus runs evenly paced in most of his races, and that is the perfect kind of style for a marathon distance. Sir Winston ran great in the Peter Pan Stakes and might be able to pick off enough tired horses to finish second late. Tacitus over Sir Winston and Tax sounds like a nice value exacta.