The moment that Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming began back-pedalling midway in the race for the Preakness Stakes three weeks ago was the moment that it became clear that there would be no Triple Crown winner in 2017. Cloud Computing went on to take that race, the second leg, but neither of the two runners named is in the 12-strong field for the third and final leg, the $1,500,000 Belmont Stakes. The gruelling mile and a half test, to be run at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, is set for 6:37 p.m. on Saturday, June 10^th (4:07 a.m. on Sunday, June 11^th in India). The first three home will pick up healthy cheques for $800,000, $280,000 and $150,000 respectively.

With the two stars missing, attention initially focussed on champion two-year-old, and Preakness runner-up, Classic Empire, but that potential runner was ruled out on Thursday when found to be suffering from a foot abscess. Trainer Mark Casse has been dealt another round of bad luck on the colt who could well have been the head of the class had things gone his way this season.

That said, there are a dozen confirmed runners at the time of writing, including a wild card in the Japanese-trained Epicharis (by Gold Allure). Their prospects are delineated below:

1)  Twisted Tom (ch.g. by Creative Cause)    Trainer: Chad Brown    Jockey: Javier Castellano Odds: 20-1

With a record of 4 wins from 6 starts, the sole gelding in the field has been consistent and in sparkling form of late. What’s more, he hails from the same barn as Preakness winner Cloud Computing. Yet the fact that he is making his first appearance in a Graded Stakes suggests that he has limitations. It is expected he will vie for the early lead, not really an ideal tactic over the extended trip.

2) Tapwrit (gr.c. by Tapit)              Trainer: Todd Pletcher                   Jockey: Jose Ortiz                Odds: 6-1

An expensive yearling by America’s leading stallion, he represents the yard of the Kentucky Derby-winning trainer and was sixth (beaten 10 lengths) to his stablemate Always Dreaming in that historic event. Earlier this year he had won the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, suggesting that he has a fair bit of talent. He is a decent shot at giving his schooler his third winner of this race, following Rags To Riches in 2007 and Palace Malice in 2013.

3) Gormley (b.c. by Malibu Moon)         Trainer: John Shirreffs        Jockey: Victor Espinoza       Odds: 8-1

Representing the Zenyatta team, this enigmatic colt either wins (4 times) or runs unplaced (thrice). Which of these two identities will show up on Saturday? He has a significant form deficit to bridge from the Kentucky Derby where he was a lacklustre ninth, 14+ lengths in arrears. Yet he looked a smart prospect when annexing the Santa Anita Derby in April. His rider is famous for his efforts astride the likes of American Pharaoh and California Chrome and is sure to relish the opportunity afforded him here.

4) J Boys Echo (b.c. by Mineshaft)     Trainer: Dale Romans            Jockey: Robby Albarado        Odds: 15-1

Purists might shudder at the prospect of a classic race falling to a runner with such a name but that won’t stop him! In fact his chances, slim though they are, improved slightly with the return of regular rider Robby Albarado in the saddle. It may be recalled that the Gotham Stakes winner’s jockey had to miss the Kentucky Derby ride on this customer due to injury. In the Gotham victory he had a certain Cloud Computing well behind so the form has been franked.

5) Hollywood Handsome (b.c. by Tapizar)    Trainer: Dallas Stewart    Jockey: Florent Geroux  Odds: 30-1

Unlike Twisted Tom, who has not graced the starting gate of a Graded Stakes so far, Hollywood Handsome has twice done so. Those attempts did not yield the desired results, as he was unplaced on both occasions. Since then with his current rider at the controls he has rediscovered winning ways, albeit at a lower level. The only thing in his favour is that his trainer has a knack for gaining classic places with apparent no-hopers as can be deduced from the odds of runners-up in the Kentucky Derby Golden Soul (50-1) and Commanding Curve (37-1).

6) Lookin At Lee (b.c. by Lookin At Lucky)    Trainer: Steve Asmussen   Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.    Odds: 5-1

Last year’s winning professionals, who succeeded in 2016 with Creator, team up again this year. The equine in question is the Kentucky Derby runner-up, Lookin At Lee, who gained ground towards the end in that race. While he was a disappointing fourth in the Preakness Stakes, this might well be because the latter event was at a shorter trip. The twelve furlongs to be essayed here, along with the slightly longer straight at Belmont, may well play to his strengths. He is one to keep on the short list.

7) Irish War Cry (ch.c. by Curlin)          Trainer: Graham Motion        Jockey: Rajiv Maragh         Odds: 7-2

This colt will be aiming at gaining revenge for his illustrious sire, who narrowly missed winning the Belmont Stakes in 2007 after a memorable battle with Rags To Riches. Irish War Cry’s flop show in the Kentucky Derby was disconcerting but perhaps that was due to the sloppy track that day. His trainer is most circumspect about where he runs his wards so the fact that he is pitching him in here is significant. The winner of four of his six career starts is another for the notebook.

8) Senior Investment (ch.c. by Discreetly Mine) Trainer: Kenny McPeek Jockey: Channing Hill Odds: 12-1

Although his pedigree does not exactly scream “stamina”, it is not altogether devoid of staying elements. Moreover this colt was gaining ground in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico and managed to finish on the board. He has enough wins in his resume to hint at ability but only one of these was in a Graded Stakes. This is going to be his tenth career appearance and one feels a “place” is his best prospect.

9) Meantime (ch.c. by Shackleford)  Trainer: Brian Lynch Jockey: Mike Smith          Odds: 15-1

In marked contrast to the well-exposed Senior Investment is the lightly-raced Meantime, who has started four times, all in 2017, with just a maiden win to his credit. Previous experience on the track – he was runner-up in the Peter Pan Stakes last month – will surely help as will the presence in the saddle of Mike Smith. Trainer Lynch’s strategy of booking the man for the big occasion is noteworthy. But will this runner with a dosage index of a lofty 7.00 stay the trip?

10) Multiplier (b.c. by The Factor)   Trainer: Brendan Walsh  Jockey: Joel Rosario    Odds: 15-1

A similar stamina question could well be asked of this runner, whose sire and maternal grandsire (Trippi) are considered more oriented towards speed. The Illinois Derby hero found 9 furlongs to his liking. Whether an additional three furlongs will suit is a moot point, although the presence of Alleged as his dam’s maternal grandsire cannot hurt. Given that his pilot has been on the board in the Belmont Stakes in four of the past six years – he won with Tonalist in 2014 – this runner cannot be ignored.

11) Epicharis (dk.b./br.c. by Gold Allure)  Trainer: Kiyoshi Hagiwara  Jockey: Christophe-Patrice Lemaire Odds: 4-1

No horse trained outside North America has won the Belmont Stakes since Dermot Weld’s Go And Go triumphed in 1990 and if ever a Japanese runner is going to annex a Triple Crown event, this surely has to be the year! Until he was nosed out of it by Thunder Snow in the UAE Derby in March, no runner had ever made it past this talented colt in a race. All his previous four efforts had resulted in victories, many by “open lengths”. However Epicharis has not been under starter’s orders for 77 days and was the subject of a lameness scare on Wednesday so it remains to be seen if he participates. A bonus of $1,000,000 is on the line should he run and win!

12) Patch (b.c. by Union Rags)   Trainer: Todd Pletcher  Jockey: John Velazquez        Odds: 12-1

Rounding out the field is Pletcher’s second runner. This one-eyed colt has incredibly been drawn widest of all, exactly as was the case in the Kentucky Derby, where he finished fourteenth, over 20 lengths in arrears. His fans will be hoping that the stamina inherent in his pedigree will see him perform better here. Furthermore, having Johnny “V” in his corner is surely an asset.

In the absence of a standout runner, an upset – like those recorded by Da’Tara (38-1 in 2008) and Sarava (70-1 in 2002) – is quite likely.