The 2024 Belmont Stakes is gearing up to be an exciting race, with several notable horses looking to make their mark. Among them, Honor Marie, who had a tough but promising run in the Kentucky Derby, will be aiming for a cleaner trip and a stronger finish. This highly anticipated race is set for June 8 at Saratoga, covering the shortened distance of 1-1/4 miles.
Derby Runbacks and Fresh Contenders for the 2024 Belmont Stakes
The 2024 Belmont Stakes is shaping up to be a captivating event, particularly with the return of several horses from the Kentucky Derby. Known for providing opportunities for horses who missed out on the Preakness, the Belmont Stakes has often seen fresh legs prevail.
Sierra Leone, narrowly defeated by Mystik Dan in the Derby, is one of the most talked-about contenders. However, many eyes are also on Honor Marie, who is poised for a comeback after a troublesome trip in the Derby. Trainer Whit Beckman is optimistic, noting that Honor Marie has shown remarkable improvement since Derby Day, bolstering his physical condition and readiness.
In the Kentucky Derby, Honor Marie faced a series of setbacks that concealed his true potential. Starting from a compromised position, he struggled to gain ground amidst challenging traffic and interference.
Despite these hurdles, he showcased flashes of his capabilities, making a determined but belated move up the ranks. Beckman is confident that with a clean start and an unimpeded run, Honor Marie could replicate, if not surpass, his previous performances, such as his strong showing in the Louisiana Derby.
Fierceness, Dornoch, and potentially Resilience are among other Derby participants eyeing the Belmont. Each brings unique strengths and lessons learned from the Derby experience. Yet, it’s Honor Marie’s story that resonates the most—a tale of resilience and untapped potential.
With Florent Geroux set to ride him for the first time, expectations are high. The upcoming Belmont Stakes represents more than just another competition; it’s a stage for redemption and excellence, particularly for horses like Honor Marie, who have faced and overcome adversity.
For fans looking to get in on the action, it’s a prime opportunity to bet on Belmont Stakes online and witness these thrilling narratives unfold.
Preparing for the Ohio Derby
While the Belmont Stakes garners its fair share of attention, the Ohio Derby on June 22 is shaping up to be an intriguing event in its own right.
Batten Down, an 8-3/4-length maiden winner at Churchill Downs on April 30, has been confirmed by Garrett O’Rourke, racing manager for Juddmonte, as pointing towards the Grade 3, $500,000 Ohio Derby instead of the Belmont. This strategic decision comes as a result of both the depth of the Belmont field and Batten Down’s relatively modest race record.
Choosing the Ohio Derby provides Batten Down with a more achievable goal at this stage of his career. Trained by the renowned Bill Mott, Batten Down carries high expectations, being a full brother to Tacitus, the 2019 Wood Memorial winner and third-place finisher in that year’s Belmont Stakes.
This genetic advantage, combined with Mott’s expertise, positions Batten Down as a formidable contender in the Ohio Derby.
In addition, Mott’s stable houses another key player, Resilience, who finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby and is still undecided for the Belmont. Such strategic placements reflect the complexities of managing a top-tier racing stable, balancing between prestigious graded stakes and races that offer growth opportunities for developing horses.
Final Minds
Lastly, it’s worth noting the role of Frank Mirahmadi, the voice behind the upcoming Belmont Stakes and the four days of racing at Saratoga for the New York Racing Association (from June 6-9).
His seasoned commentary will add another layer of excitement to these events, further enriching the experience for fans and stakeholders alike. With such talent on and off the track, the summer racing season promises to be both thrilling and insightful.
