Cavonnier Installed As Belmont Favorite

What happens when the Kentucky Derby winner (Grindstone) is retired, the beaten favorite in the Derby (Unbridled’s Song) is sidelined and the Preakness winner (Louis Quatorze) gets no respect?

Answer: You get a field of 15 for the Belmont Stakes.

Thursday a record-tying number of horses (15 started in 1983, when Caveat won) were entered for Saturday’s 128th running of the 1-mile Belmont, a race that gives new meaning to the term “wide-open event.” Cavonnier, second in the Derby and fourth in the Preakness, was listed as the 3-1 morning line favorite after drawing post No. 14. Making Cavonnier, who is based in California, the choice baffled Bob Baffert, who trains him.

“Every Derby prep race, every Triple Crown race, has had a different winner,” said Baffert. “Everyone’s thinking, ‘Maybe it’s my turn.”’

xxxx
Belmont Stakes odds The field for Saturday’s 128th Belmont Stakes, with post position, horse’s name, jockey’s name and odds: 1. a-Saratoga Dandy Davis 9-2 2. Natural Selection Romero 20-1 3. South Salem Krone 30-1 4. f-Rocket Flash Castillo 20-1 5. Jamies First Punch Velazquez 10-1 6. Prince of Thieves Bailey 8-1 7. Editor’s Note Douglas 8-1 8. Appealing Skier Migliore 15-1 9. My Flag Smith 6-1 10. f-Traffic Circle Chavez 20-1 11. In Contention Bravo 30-1 12. a-Louis Quatorze Day 9-2 13. Skip Away Santos 6-1 14. Cavonnier McCarron 3-1 15. f-Secreto de Estado Velasquez 20-1 a-William Condren- & Joseph Cornacchia-owned entry. f-mutuel field.