An inside look at how the 149th Belmont Stakes shapes up (morning-line odds in parentheses):
1. Twisted Tom (20-1)
Current form: New player in the Triple Crown series brings a three-race winning streak to the final leg. Stretched out in the Federico Tesio and won going away.
Worth a wager? Come on baby, let’s do the twist. Hot-handed horse is rested. Huge price offered from Chad Brown and Javier Castellano, who won the Preakness with Cloud Computing. Surprising second.
2. Tapwrit (6-1)
Current form: One of many who got clobbered out of the gate in Kentucky. Passed some tired rivals to finish an invisible sixth. Powered from off the pace to win the Tampa Bay Derby in spring.
Worth a wager? Pricey Tapit-sired gray never got clear in the Derby. Vastly different story Saturday returning to Big Sandy, where Todd Pletcher and Jose Ortiz rule the roost. Best of depleted bunch. Winner.
3. Gormley (8-1)
Current form: Santa Anita Derby winner got better position than most at Churchill Downs but was still moving in the wrong direction in late stages.
Worth a wager? Disturbing last half at Kentucky is still bothersome. Wasn’t the rain; he’s proven over a wet course. May rebound but I’m putting him eighth.
4. J Boys Echo (15-1)
Current form: Stalker never had a chance after spotting the field 15 lengths on Derby Day. He’s one of two in Saturday’s lineup that has pulled down a triple-digit fig, earned when winning the Gotham.
Worth a wager? Trainer Dale Romans upon arrival: “Worst traffic I’ve seen besides today was May 6 at 6:50. Worse trip than a hillbilly trying to drive through Manhattan.” Bobby Flay bought in; Robby Albarado’s back. Fourth.
5. Hollywood Handsome (30-1)
Current form: Defeated a suspect allowance group traveling 1 1/16 miles weeks ago and was given the green light to New York. Never factored in both the Louisiana and Illinois derbies.
Worth a wager? Federal investigation if he wins. Worse than Watergate. For people who play Candy Crush. You know who you are. Handsome, but last of 12.
6. Lookin At Lee (5-1)
Current form: Nearly shocked the racing world when he rallied up the rail to place second at 33-1 at Churchill. Ran to form at Pimlico, kicking in late to fill out the superfecta.
Worth a wager? Steve Asmussen colt never wins but always seems to show up. Thought he should have skipped Baltimore to run fresh here. Didn’t. Distance and Irad Ortiz Jr. a plus but crown grind gets him. Tenth.
7. Irish War Cry (7-2)
Current form: Confident, easy victor of the Wood Memorial was heavily bet running for the roses. Pressed Always Dreaming on the front but stopped when real running started.
Worth a wager? New Jersey’s finest became the morning-line fave when Classic Empire withdrew. No real excuse in the Derby but Curlin-sired colt should stay the 12 furlongs. Redeeming third.
8. Senior Investment (12-1)
Current form: Took show prize in the Preakness at odds of 31-1 after falling 13 lengths off the pace. Similar rally in previous outing to steal the Lexington.
Worth a wager? Meh … Large cast of stretch runners in here and he’s not the best one. I’m investing elsewhere. Belatedly for sixth.
9. Meantime (15-1)
Current form: Won his maiden gate-to-wire at Keeneland. Was sent to New York, where he showed the way in the Peter Pan before settling for second money.
Worth a wager? Only horse with a race over the course may be the one to catch. If Mike Smith can grant him soft splits, he may hang around. Not thinking that’s the case. Runnin’-on-empty 11th.
10. Multiplier (15-1)
Current form: Went back-to-back when he won the Illinois Derby. Dragged winning streak to Maryland and arrived a too-little, too-late sixth.
Worth a wager? Slow and steady gains in the Preakness. Gray has shown he wants more ground and he’ll get it here. Blinkers on. Up for fifth.
11. Epicharis (4-1)
Current form: Japanese invader won his initial four starts. Shipped to Meydan to take part in the UAE Derby and was nailed in the shadow of the wire by Thunder Snow, who refused to run on Derby Day.
Worth a wager? Not at this price. Descendant of legendary Sunday Silence didn’t come here to lose and while overseas trip may have taken a toll, he hasn’t competed since March. UAE hasn’t been a reliable prep. Seventh.
12. Patch (12-1)
Current form: One-eyed bandit nearly stole the Louisiana, where he placed second. Made it to Kentucky on a thin résumé and landed a distant 14th.
Worth a wager? If you’re a fan of breeding, his dad, Union Rags, won the Test of Champions in 2012. Pletcher calls on go-to-guy John Velazquez, who rode him to lone victory. Not much to go on. Not yet. Ninth.
1. Twisted Tom (20-1)
Current form: New player in the Triple Crown series brings a three-race winning streak to the final leg. Stretched out in the Federico Tesio and won going away.
Worth a wager? Come on baby, let’s do the twist. Hot-handed horse is rested. Huge price offered from Chad Brown and Javier Castellano, who won the Preakness with Cloud Computing. Surprising second.
2. Tapwrit (6-1)
Current form: One of many who got clobbered out of the gate in Kentucky. Passed some tired rivals to finish an invisible sixth. Powered from off the pace to win the Tampa Bay Derby in spring.
Worth a wager? Pricey Tapit-sired gray never got clear in the Derby. Vastly different story Saturday returning to Big Sandy, where Todd Pletcher and Jose Ortiz rule the roost. Best of depleted bunch. Winner.
3. Gormley (8-1)
Current form: Santa Anita Derby winner got better position than most at Churchill Downs but was still moving in the wrong direction in late stages.
Worth a wager? Disturbing last half at Kentucky is still bothersome. Wasn’t the rain; he’s proven over a wet course. May rebound but I’m putting him eighth.
4. J Boys Echo (15-1)
Current form: Stalker never had a chance after spotting the field 15 lengths on Derby Day. He’s one of two in Saturday’s lineup that has pulled down a triple-digit fig, earned when winning the Gotham.
Worth a wager? Trainer Dale Romans upon arrival: “Worst traffic I’ve seen besides today was May 6 at 6:50. Worse trip than a hillbilly trying to drive through Manhattan.” Bobby Flay bought in; Robby Albarado’s back. Fourth.
5. Hollywood Handsome (30-1)
Current form: Defeated a suspect allowance group traveling 1 1/16 miles weeks ago and was given the green light to New York. Never factored in both the Louisiana and Illinois derbies.
Worth a wager? Federal investigation if he wins. Worse than Watergate. For people who play Candy Crush. You know who you are. Handsome, but last of 12.
6. Lookin At Lee (5-1)
Current form: Nearly shocked the racing world when he rallied up the rail to place second at 33-1 at Churchill. Ran to form at Pimlico, kicking in late to fill out the superfecta.
Worth a wager? Steve Asmussen colt never wins but always seems to show up. Thought he should have skipped Baltimore to run fresh here. Didn’t. Distance and Irad Ortiz Jr. a plus but crown grind gets him. Tenth.
7. Irish War Cry (7-2)
Current form: Confident, easy victor of the Wood Memorial was heavily bet running for the roses. Pressed Always Dreaming on the front but stopped when real running started.
Worth a wager? New Jersey’s finest became the morning-line fave when Classic Empire withdrew. No real excuse in the Derby but Curlin-sired colt should stay the 12 furlongs. Redeeming third.
8. Senior Investment (12-1)
Current form: Took show prize in the Preakness at odds of 31-1 after falling 13 lengths off the pace. Similar rally in previous outing to steal the Lexington.
Worth a wager? Meh … Large cast of stretch runners in here and he’s not the best one. I’m investing elsewhere. Belatedly for sixth.
9. Meantime (15-1)
Current form: Won his maiden gate-to-wire at Keeneland. Was sent to New York, where he showed the way in the Peter Pan before settling for second money.
Worth a wager? Only horse with a race over the course may be the one to catch. If Mike Smith can grant him soft splits, he may hang around. Not thinking that’s the case. Runnin’-on-empty 11th.
10. Multiplier (15-1)
Current form: Went back-to-back when he won the Illinois Derby. Dragged winning streak to Maryland and arrived a too-little, too-late sixth.
Worth a wager? Slow and steady gains in the Preakness. Gray has shown he wants more ground and he’ll get it here. Blinkers on. Up for fifth.
11. Epicharis (4-1)
Current form: Japanese invader won his initial four starts. Shipped to Meydan to take part in the UAE Derby and was nailed in the shadow of the wire by Thunder Snow, who refused to run on Derby Day.
Worth a wager? Not at this price. Descendant of legendary Sunday Silence didn’t come here to lose and while overseas trip may have taken a toll, he hasn’t competed since March. UAE hasn’t been a reliable prep. Seventh.
12. Patch (12-1)
Current form: One-eyed bandit nearly stole the Louisiana, where he placed second. Made it to Kentucky on a thin résumé and landed a distant 14th.
Worth a wager? If you’re a fan of breeding, his dad, Union Rags, won the Test of Champions in 2012. Pletcher calls on go-to-guy John Velazquez, who rode him to lone victory. Not much to go on. Not yet. Ninth.
