Tiz The Law looking to land all-new Belmont Stakes to kick off Triple Crown bid

The US Triple Crown begins on Saturday in what is traditionally the third and final contest with ten runners set to go to post for a most unusual running of the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes (10.42).

Traditionally, the Belmont would follow in behind the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, which are being run on September 5 and October 3 respectively this year, with significant interest being generated if a horse has swept the first two races and faces up to the 1m4f challenge on the first Saturday in June.

However, the coronavirus crisis has played particular havoc with the racing programme in America with the Belmont distance being revised to just 1m1f this season, while the wait for the first Classic has also resulted in potential contenders for the Triple Crown, such as Nadal and Maxfield, falling by the wayside.

Tiz The Law: won the Florida Derby by a wide marginCredit: Coglianese Photos

Favourite for Saturday’s Classic is Tiz The Law, winner of the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park last season and victorious in the Florida Derby on his most recent start in March.

He represents veteran trainer Barclay Tagg, who won the first two legs of the 2003 Triple Crown with Funny Cide before he finished third to Empire Maker in the Belmont.

Tagg said: "It means a lot. You don't get top contenders all the time. He's a nice horse – hopefully he's as good as we think. You work every day seven days a week, you just hope nothing happens and nothing goes wrong. But so far, so good. We're pleased with the way he's been doing and we're ready for the race.”

Tiz The Law is drawn in gate eight in a ten-strong field and Tagg is looking forward to seeing his three-year-old in action.

"I asked him this morning [about the race] and he said 'don't worry about it’,” Tagg joked. “Nothing seems to faze him in any way. I'd have rather been a little [lower drawn], but I don't think it makes much of a difference. He's coming in good; I can't be happier with him."

Tiz The Law’s main market rival Tap It To Win will break from stall one and was in action more recently than the favourite, having won an allowance race 16 days ago.

Trainer Mark Casse said: “I've always said, run them when they're good. Sixteen days will be enough time. He's just a super-moving horse. We breezed at our training center in Ocala and every time we would watch, our mouths would be open when we watch him move.”

View the Belmont Stakes card here

Sole Volante is another who has been given a recent prep in an optional claimer, but his trainer Patrick Biancone believes the favourite will be tough to beat.

"So far, so good," Biancone said. "He's very talented. He's been very good for us and trains his best all the time. We'll see how good he is Saturday. No question, Tiz the Law is the horse to beat, but he totally deserves this opportunity."

The drop in distance of the Belmont to 1m1f from 1m4f is not seen as being ideal for Dr Post, one of two runners in the contest for leading trainer Todd Pletcher.

Pletcher, who also runs Farmington Road, said: "Dr Post is doing great. We felt like he could be the horse that would really enjoy the mile-and-a-half, but since that's not an option we're hoping that the mile-and-an-eighth, if he gets a good honest pace to run at, he would certainly benefit from that.

“It was a solid effort in the Arkansas Derby from Farmington Road and I think it was a tough track to make up a lot of ground. The main thing is getting a track that suits that style and an honest pace. That's what he really needs."

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