With contrasting racing styles, Creator and Gettysburg loom as solid chances to capture the 148th running of the Belmont S. (G1) on Saturday.
With no Triple Crown on the line this year, the 1 1/2-mile Belmont drew a big field of 13 trying to take the lion’s share of the $1.5 million purse.
Gettysburg, who possesses natural speed, will get the services of Paco Lopez in his first start for trainer Steve Asmussen since previously been Creator’s stablemate under the care of Todd Pletcher.
Gettysburg, a son of WinStar stallion Pioneerof the Nile, drew post 6.
Gettysburg had the lead in deep stretch in the Arkansas Derby (G1), a race ultimately won by Creator.
Creator, a deep closer, shouldn’t be affected by his outside draw in the field of 13. The gray colt’s rough trip in the Kentucky Derby (G1) is a thing of the past according to his part owner, celebrity chef Bobby Flay.
“He had a rough trip (at Churchill Downs), but he’s had five weeks off,” said Flay. “I went out and saw him on Monday. This is a total thrill for me. He’s already a Grade 1 winner. He’s by Tapit. He’s a beautiful horse. He’s going to be a stallion for sure. Now we’re just trying to put the cherry on top. So the Belmont Stakes would be — that would be a fun moment.”
Creator has amassed $768,320 in earnings with a mark of 2-4-1 in 9 starts.
The Belmont is race 11 on Saturday’s card. It is scheduled for 6:32 p.m. ET, and the race will be aired live on NBC.
