The Belmont Stakes field is taking shape. Also, a Kentucky Derby and Preakness runner won’t run while one of the hottest equines during the Derby prep season might. Todd Pletcher has yet to say who will enter the starting gate for the Belmont but he could have four. Check out the latest rumors regarding the final jewel in the 2021 Triple Crown.
Also, check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Belmont Stakes for Saturday, June 5. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Belmont Stakes Update: Rombauer Jockey Flavien Prat Moves to Hot Rod Charlie
2021 Belmont Stakes Odds
- Essential Quality +300
- Rombauer +300
- Hot Rod Charlie +600
- Midnight Bourbon +600
- Rock Your World +800
- Caddo River +1200
- Keepmeinmind +1100
- Known Agenda +600
- Promise Keeper +1400
- Weyburn +2500
- Rebel’s Romance +1600
- Brooklyn Strong +5000
- France Go de Ina +3000
Midnight Bourbon drops out prompting Brad Cox to consider running Caddo River
Trainer Brad Cox didn’t plan on running Caddo River in the Belmont Stakes. The horse doesn’t appear to want any part of 1 ½ miles, but after Steve Asmussen declared Midnight Bourbon from the Test of Champions, Cox may run the son of Hard Spun.
It depends on how Brad views the pace. Cox knows that Essential Quality’s best chance is to track a fast pace and then provide an exhilarating turn of foot move.
Hard Spun finished fourth in the Belmont. So it’s not as if Caddo River has no shot. Also, if the pace is slow, River is the type of horse who could possibly carry his speed to an upset victory.
Most believe Cox won’t run Caddo River. But trainers have changed their minds in the final week before a Triple Crown. So don’t be surprised either way.
Flavien Prat ditches Rombauer to ride Hot Rod Charlie
You don’t often ditch a Triple Crown race winner to ride a horse, but that’s what jockey Flavien Prat is doing by stepping off Rombauer and stepping onto Hot Rod Charlie. In a way, the move makes a ton of sense.
Prat rides regularly at Santa Anita Park and Del Mar near San Diego. One of the trainers he rides for is Doug O’Neil. Hot Rod Charlie is O’Neil’s horse. If O’Neil wants Prat’s services, the jockey figured he should provide them.
Johnny V. picks up the mount on Preakness winner Rombauer
Mike McCarthy trained Rombauer won’t be left in the cold. The Preakness winner picked up Medina Spirit’s jockey, John Velasquez.
Johnny V. is one of the greatest riders in history. Not only did he win the Kentucky Derby this year, but he’s won three other Kentucky Derbies, including last year aboard Authentic.
Velasquez has a couple of Belmont Stakes victories. He won in 2007 aboard filly Rags to Riches. Then he won in 2012 aboard Union Rags. Rombauer is in good hands.
Belmont Stakes field takes shape with Pletcher running four
Todd Pletcher may run Bourbonic, Known Agenda, Overtook, and Promise Keeper. Pletcher has won three Belmont Stakes: 2007 with Rags to Riches, 2013 with Palace Malice, and 2017 with Tapwrit.
Heading into the final week, Essential Quality and Rombauer are the chalks followed by Hot Rod Charlie, Known Agenda, and Rock Your World. Rebel’s Romance and Promise Keeper are the two longshots offering low enough odds to require a look. Check out the expected 2021 Belmont Stakes field.
- Bourbonic
- Brooklyn Strong
- Essential Quality
- France Go de Ina
- Hot Rod Charlie
- Known Agenda
- Overtook
- Rebel’s Romance
- Rock Your World
- Rombauer
- Get Her Number
- Keepmeinmind
- Promise Keeper
