Belmont Stakes Contenders

2008 Belmont Stakes Contenders

Anak Nakal
Trainer: Nick Zito
Jockey: R. Bejarano
Record: 7-2-1-0
Best Beyer: 87
Earnings: $243,416
Finishing seventh in the Kentucky Derby and sitting out for the Preakness Stakes, Anak Nakal is trying once more in case third time really is the charm. Since his win at the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs in November, he hasn’t managed to place in the top five of any of the races he’s run. His sire, Victory Gallop, won the Belmont 10 years ago. Maybe Anak Nakal will celebrate the anniversary by winning.

Behindatthebar
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: D. Flores
Record: 5-3-1-0
Best Beyer: 99
Lifetime Earnings: $277,100
Behindatthebar missed the Kentucky Derby in order to prepare for Preakness, but then had to skip Preakness due to a bruised foot. This could mean two things for Behindatthebar. Either he’ll be slow after taking it easy to heal his injury, or he’ll get a rush from weeks of pent-up energy after not being able to race.

Big Brown
Trainer: Richard Dutrow Jr.
Jockey: K. Desormeaux
Record: 5-5-0-0
Best Beyer: 109
Lifetime Earnings: $2,714,500
Big Brown isn’t just making history as the juggernaut of the horse racing world; if he wins Belmont, he’ll also be the first Triple Crown champ to have done so in 30 years. His agility left many speechless after the Preakness and now the only thing left to ask is whether or not he’ll be able to keep up the momentum he’s been running with.

Casino Drive
Trainer: Kazuo Fujisawa
Jockey: E. Prado
Record: 2-2-0-0
Best Beyer: 101
Lifetime Earnings: $185,282
It’s being argued that if anyone were to take Big Brown down, it’ll be Casino Drive. He doesn’t have many races under his harness but the experience he’s had is worth mentioning. He won his first race in Japan by 11 ½ lengths. He won the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont by 5 ¾ lengths. And if genes count for something, then you should take note that he’s the brother of the last two Belmont Stakes winners.

Denis of Cork
Trainer: David Carroll
Jockey: R. Albarado
Record: 5-3-0-1
Best Beyer: 97
Lifetime Earnings: $413,552
Denis of Cork was a little rusty going into the Kentucky Derby but nonetheless came out in third place. He had won three races beforehand and placed fifth at the Illinois Derby. At the Kentucky Derby, he managed to get from last place to third. It seems as though he knows how to maintain a winning streak and get back up if he falters. Looks like he might prove to be another one of Big Brown’s competitors.

Icabad Crane
Trainer: Graham Motion
Jockey: J. Rose
Record: 5-3-0-2
Best Beyer: 91
Lifetime Earnings: $235,400
At the Preakness Stakes, this colt was bringing up the back before racing hard to finish in third. He is continuously improving with the help of a great trainer and jockey, but when dethroning Big Brown is at stake, he’s going to need all that and then some. Hopefully June 7 might be the day he chooses to be a chip off the old block. His father, Jump Start, won the Belmont Stakes in 1992.

Macho Again
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Jockey: G. Gomez
Record: 9-3-3-0
Best Beyer: 99
Lifetime Earnings: $343,761
Placing second at the Preakness Stakes might be the closest Macho Again will ever get to beating Big Brown. Macho Again will need to focus on speed and agility to keep up with Big Brown.

Tale of Ekati
Trainer: Barclay Tagg
Jockey: E. Coa
Record: 7-3-1-0
Best Beyer: 95
Life Earnings: $869,200
Racing in spurts during the Kentucky Derby, Tale of Ekati managed to finish fourth. He’s swift and doesn’t give up, two key traits needed during the “Test of the Champion.”

Tomcito
Trainer: Dante Zanelli
Jockey: A. Garcia
Record: 8-4-1-1
Best Beyer: 92
Lifetime Earnings: $154,973
To Tomcito’s advantage, he’s already won a 1.5 mile distance this year. To his disadvantage, he’s currently recuperating from minor throat surgery. Tomcito and his trainers are taking it day by day to see if he’ll be able to race at Belmont. Like El Gato Malo, short earnings after placing third in the Florida Derby and seventh at the Peter Pan Stakes kept Tomcito from qualifying at the Kentucky Derby.