Correll’s Corner: Belmont Stakes, no “Big Sandy”, no “Test of the Champion”

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
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TRINITY, Fla. – The 156th Belmont Stakes will not be “The Test of Champions” this year, it will be just another mile-and-a-quarter race at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York. Because of the renovation work at Belmont Park the race will be held at Saratoga in 2024 and 2025.

We won’t be handicapping a mile-and-a-half race at “Big Sandy” and that will make a difference on the running styles of each colt. Normally at Belmont the deep closer doesn’t prevail, but I think you can throw that theory out the window this year and next.

I’ll take a look at the field and give my thoughts on the race.

1 – Seize the Grey (Sire: Arrogate) won the Preakness on the front end and should be on or near the lead. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Morning line 8-1.

2 – Resilence (Into Mischief) was sixth in the Kentucky Derby and should be stalking the pace. Trained by Bill Mott. 10-1.

3 – Mystik Dan (Goldencents) won the Kentucky Derby and was second the Preakness. Trained by Ken McPeek and it’s too much of this colt in five weeks. A stalker, 5-1.

4 – The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso) was second in the Peter Pan and will press the pace. Trained by Mike Maker. 15-1.

5 – Antiquarian (Preservation) won the Peter Pan and he should be a close stalker. Trained by Todd Pletcher. 15-1.

6 – Dornach (Good Magic) was 10th in the Derby. Trained by Danny Gargan. 15-1. He’ll be looking for the lead and if he doesn’t get it, he’s in trouble.

7 – Protective (Medaglia d’Oro) was third in the Peter Pan and is trained by Pletcher. He’s a closer and still a maiden, 20-1.

8 – Honor Marie (Honor Code) was eighth in the Derby. He’s trained by Whit Beckman and a closer. 12-1.

9 – Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) was second in the Derby and is a closer, and I think the outside draw helps. Trained by Chad Brown, 9-5.

10 – Mindframe (Constitution) is two-for-two lifetime, and his last win was in an allowance race at Churchill Downs. He should be of the speed and he’s trained by Pletcher, 7-2.

The two new shooters, Antiquarian and Mindframe intrigue me and of course I’ve been on Sierra Leone all year. I think Pletcher will put Mindframe on the lead and see how far he can go. Antiquarian will be stalking and Sierra Leone will look to come late.

The trifecta:

9 – Sierra Leone

5 – Antiquarian