2022 Triple Crown Finale: Derby Winner returns, Preakness Winner Skips
The two jewels of the prestigious Triple Crown series have now been officially recorded in the books. With Rich Strike’s stunning win in the Kentucky Derby and Early Voting winning the Preakness Stakes, who do you think will be crowned as the 2022 Belmont Stakes winner?
The third and final jewel is yet to occur on June 11, Saturday, at Belmont Park, New York. This final race is considered the longest among the three races as it runs over a distance of 1.5 miles or 12 furlongs, earning the nickname the “Test of the Champions.”
Given the long distance, the three-year-old thoroughbreds are genuinely tested for their stamina, grit, and speed to bag the win. With the upcoming Belmont Stakes, let’s determine who will compete and who will not participate in the final Triple Crown series of 2022.
Who’s In For The 2022 Belmont Stakes?
Due to Rich Strike’s absence from the Preakness, there won’t be a Triple Crown winner this year. He will, however, be at Belmont Park, joining the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes. Meanwhile, despite winning the Preakness Stakes, Early Voting’s trainer reported that he would be skipping the final leg of the series.
The following section of this article will supply you with additional information regarding who or which horse is certain, unsure, and who is out for the race. This will also guide you in assessing the belmont stakes betting odds for the final series. Now, listed below are five sure horse racers:
Rich Strike
With an 80-1 long shot, Rich Strike remarkably finished the race, even having the second biggest upset in race history, with only a length of three-quarters over the Preakness favorite, Epicenter. This thoroughbred wasn’t even in the field, to begin with. But when Ethereal Road withdrew, it opened a door for him. With his Derby win, Rich Strike skipped the Preakness, eliminating the probable quest of securing the grandest and rarest prize.
Mo Donegal
According to his trainer, Todd Pletcher, after finishing in fifth place in the Kentucky Derby, this bay colt who triumphed in the Wood Memorial is returning for the Belmont Stakes. In addition to this, Mo Donegal was selected as the favorite to win the final leg of the series by several different sportsbooks.
Creative Minister
Creative Minister, who was a third-place finisher in the Preakness Stakes, just behind the Preakness favorite, Epicenter, will be geared toward the running of the Belmont Stakes. Although he didn’t run in the Kentucky Derby, he competed at Churchill Downs on Derby weekend, taking first place in an allowance race.
We The People
We the People won every pole in the sophomore division of the nine-furlong Peter Pan race held at Belmont Park, storming with a length of 10 and ¼. Moreover, the Constitution colt’s trainer, Rodolphe Brisset, believes that the “Test of the Champions” will be the appropriate race for We the People’s next start.
Golden Glider
Golden Glider came in as a second-place finisher in the Peter Pan, similar to Mark Casse’s horse named Sir Winston, who ended up bagging the 2019 Belmont Stakes. The chestnut colt’s trainer stated that he would do the same for Golden Glider.
Who’s Out For The 2022 Belmont Stakes?
As previously mentioned, the winner of the Preakness Stakes will not compete in this year’s Belmont Stakes. Instead, the Preakness winner will most likely compete in the Haskell Invitational, which is scheduled to take place on July 23.
The same holds for the Derby and Preakness runner-up, Epicenter. This colt’s trainer, Steve Asmussen, has indicated that Epicenter will not compete in the final leg of the Triple Crown.
In addition, the filly who finished fourth in the Preakness Stakes will not face colts any time soon. Meanwhile, following Saturday’s race in which he bled, fourth-place Derby finisher and sixth-place Preakness finisher Simplification will also have to skip for this year’s Belmont Stakes to take a rest.
Who’s Uncertain For The 2022 Belmont Stakes?
Below is a list of horses whose participation in the final race of the Triple Crown is still uncertain:
Skippylongstocking
Because Skippylongstocking hasn’t had many finishes in his career that particularly stand out, he is considered a long shot for this year’s Preakness Stakes. However, this colt came in as a fifth-place finisher in the second jewel of the Triple Crown series. Moreover, regarding this colt’s participation in the Belmont Stakes, a decision will likely be made before the end of the week, as trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has told the HRN.
Barber Road
With an odds to win the Kentucky Derby at 30-1, Barber Road could finish the race in sixth place. But before ending up in such a spot, he had competed in six races, but none of them had resulted in a victory. However, he has rallied to finish in every one of those races, including placing second in both the Southwest and Arkansas Derby and placing third in the Rebel.
Notable Mentions:
Nest
Ethereal Road
Takeaway
Given the following lists of horses that are in, out, and uncertain to participate in the 2022 Belmont Stakes, you will have a better sense of who to bet on for the last jewel of the Triple Crown. Of course, everything is subject to change despite the following lists, particularly for horses whose status is still uncertain. So be sure to keep updated!
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