#Belmont Stakes 2020 odds, field, complete betting guide

Tap It to Win (6-1)

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: John Velazquez

Current form: Modest two-race win streak looks better every time I watch it. Easy gate-to-wire allowance score over the Belmont oval only two weeks ago. So easy, Johnny V took his foot off the gas a sixteenth from home.

Worth a wager? Mark Casse conditioned Sir Winston to go long in last year’s edition. Can he, and the Hall of Fame rider, get this speedy horse home on 16 days rest? Yes, but we’ll place him second.

Sole Volante (9-2)

Trainer: Patrick Biancone

Jockey: Luca Panici

Current form: Rallied from last of six with a wide, sweeping move to win last week at Gulfstream. Same rally fell short two races back when he got up for second in the Tampa Bay Derby.

Worth a wager? Tap It to Win returns on 16 days rest. Biancone brings this gelding back on just 10 and the morning line suggests “Flying Sun” may be overbet. We’ll pass. Races evenly for sixth.

Max Player (15-1)

Trainer: Linda Rice

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Current form: Linda Rice entered him in the Withers after a convincing maiden breaker at Parx and he powered from off the pace to win, at this distance, making two turns.

Worth a wager? No woman ever has trained the winner of a Triple Crown race. Maybe later this year. Max hasn’t Played (raced) in more than four months. Well-rested or too much rest? A tossable eighth.

Modernist (15-1)

Trainer: Bill Mott

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Current form: He’s a perfect 2-for-2 at this distance, including a front-running victory in the Risen Star. Stretched longer and raced evenly, third best in the Louisiana Derby.

Worth a wager? To enter or not to enter? Bill Mott was on the fence. Gave the green light when the “Test of the Champion” was reduced to 11 furlongs and one turn. Should be involved early, not late. A retreating seventh.

Farmington Road (15-1)

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Current form: One win in six starts. Ran three times at this distance this year, latest in the Arkansas Derby. Closed from last of nine to finish fourth behind Nadal after getting parked wide.

Worth a wager? Record speaks volumes but he’s made up ground racing wide and may be sitting on a huge effort. Pletcher said he would relish the traditional 1¹/₂ miles. Enough speed in here to make a run? We’re in. Winner.

Fore Left (30-1)

Trainer: Doug O’Neill

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Current form: Doug O’Neill flew the front-loving colt to Dubai and he held on to win a Grade 3 at a mile. Won the Tremont sprinting at Belmont as a 2-year-old.

Worth a wager? History tells us to lay off these Meydan/Dubai shippers returning to the States. Entered late after originally being pointed to the Woody Stephens. Jose Ortiz takes him as far as he can. Not last but ninth.

Jungle Runner (50-1)

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez

Current form: Distanced, outrun, outclassed, overwhelmed at 60-1 in the Arkansas Derby. In fact he’s finished up the track all three starts this year. Won a 7-furlong stake in November.

Worth a wager? What’s he doing here? I assume Reylu Gutierrez is hoping to pass some tired rivals and get a piece of the purse. Should be as effective here as Mayor de Blasio’s curfew. Last of 10.

Tiz the Law (6-5)

Trainer: Barclay Tagg

Jockey: Manny Franco

Current form: The only Grade 1 winner in the field took the Florida Derby, contested at this distance, by more than four lengths. Stalker has won four of five and has a W over the course, winning the Champagne here last year.

Worth a wager? Prohibitive favorite, deservedly so, has worked like a champion since the Florida Derby. But we’ll try to beat him as he hasn’t competed in three months. Besides, Rob Manfred guaranteed he wins. A disappointing third.

Dr Post (5-1)

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Current form: Took a bump on the far turn but still managed to run by the field in the Unbridled stake. Todd Pletcher believes he handled the extra distance well and should get the additional 1/16th.

Worth a wager? If you are betting the Doctor to win you deserve a better price than 5-1. Like barnmate Farmington Road, he needs it fast up front. May get favorable pace, then get outkicked. Thinking deep exotics … fourth.

Pneumatic (8-1)

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

Current form: Won his first two starts at Oaklawn. Argued the lead in the Grade 3 Matt Winn at Churchill Downs and grudgingly gave way late, settling third.

Worth a wager? Stepped up in class and took a half step back. Asmussen gives him a shot here after redirecting Basin to the Blue Grass. Ensures an honest pace, backpedals in the stretch to be fifth.