Here is the field for the $1 million, in post position order with morning-line odds, jockey and trainer for the Grade I Belmont Stakes, third and final jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown.
1. Nolan's Cat
Opening odds.....50-1
Jockey: Norberto Arroyo Jr.
Trainer: Dale Romans
Son of Catienus is still a maiden. Trainer is on a hot streak at current Churchill Downs stand, owner won Eclipse Award last year, jockey is New York circuit rider. His best races have been on sloppy going. Rooting for rain on Saturday.
2. Pinpoint
Opening odds.....20-1
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Nick Zito
Son of Peaks And Valleys won Sir Barton Stakes recently. Sitting on a three-race win streak after last-place finished in debut. Pimlico win was solid and trainer attacks with the numbers looking for a Triple Crown win. A factor here.
3. A.P. Arrow
Opening odds.....20-1
Jockey: Jerry Bailey
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Son of A.P. Indy broke maiden at Derby distance over Churchill Downs slop in last outing. Owner Allen E. Paulson Living Trust raced champion Cigar. Trainer has won four Belmonts. Rider is one of the best ever. Got lots going for him. Hmmm...
4. Southern Africa
Opening odds.....12-1
Jockey: Jon Court
Trainer: Michael Puhich
Son of Cape Town is most-traveled in the field. Started career in Great Britain, stabled in Southern California. Won Derby at Sunland Park, N.M, then took Lone Star Park Derby in Texas recently. Now on to Big Apple. This ain't the great Southwest.
5. Giacomo
Opening odds.....4-1
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Son of Holy Bull is the Kentucky Derby winner. Encountered troubled trip in Preakness Stakes while a distant third. Got Dream Derby trip. Been training great while at home base in Southern California and conservative conditioner would not ship to New York unless he thought the Derby winner had sold chance. Objective is a rubber match victory.
6. Watchmon
Opening odds.....50-1
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Patrick Reynolds
Son of Maria's Mon broke maiden in Gulfstream Park slop. Runner-up in Belmont allowance race over 'off' going in last. Gets Ghostzapper rider now. Another that would appreciate rain on Belmont Stakes parade.
7. Andromeda's Hero
Opening odds.....15-1
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Trainer: Nick Zito
Son of Fusaichi Pegasus skipped Preakness Stakes for longer Belmont after dismal 8th-place Kentucky Derby finish. Trainer believes this is the best chance of his three entrants. Rider was aboard for Sam Davis Stakes win at Tampa Bay Downs earlier this year. Promising runner is "live" long shot here.
8. Reverberate
Opening odds.....6-1
Jockey: Jose Santos
Trainer: Sal Russo
Son of Thunder Gulch battled pace and finished 2nd in Peter Pan Stakes in last. Won over the track before that. Makes third start since layoff and rider won this race in 1999 with Lemon Drop Kid. Running style makes this one an interesting exotics possibility.
9. Afleet Alex
Opening odds.....6-5
Jockey: Jeremy Rose
Trainer: Tim Ritchey
Son of Northern Afleet comes here off an incredible, amazing and miraculous Preakness Stakes win. Close 3rd in Kentucky Derby, he has been the most consistent sophomore this year. Lifetime record of 7 wins and a pair of seconds from 11 starts boasts 3-for-5 this year. Rider knows him best, trainer unorthodox in training regiment. And, it's working! Deserves to be favorite and has angel in his corner as Alex's Lemonade Stand a benefactor. Favorite for rubber match win, too.
10. Indy Storm
Opening odds.....20-1
Jockey: Edgar Prado
Trainer: Nick Zito
Son of A.P. Indy is third entrant for newly-inducted Hall Of Fame trainer. Won at Pimlico in last. Remember, this jockey-trainer team upset Smarty Jones in last year's Belmont Stakes. There will be no apologies if this one wins. Another exotics wager danger.
11. Chekhov
Opening odds.....12-1
Jockey: Gary Stevens
Trainer: Patrick Biancone
Son of Pulpit bombed as Peter Pan favorite in last. Promising daylight maiden-breaker before that. Blue-blood connections giving this guy his chance. Rider won two Belmonts with Thunder Gulch in 1995 and Victory Gallop in 1998. Dangerous if he lives up to press clippings.
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