The middle of Rockefeller Center, which six months ago was filled with ice skaters, played host to a much different scene on an unseasonably brisk June morning. The plaza was bustling with many of horse racing's elite, as well as a plethora of media, Wednesday for the GI Belmont S. draw, which was held in Manhattan instead of its traditional home in Belmont's Garden Terrace.
The connections of Triple Crown hopeful American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) were the highlight of the draw with cameras clicking away, capturing their every move. Trainer Bob Baffert, owners Ahmed Zayat and son Justin and jockey Victor Espinoza all graciously accomodated the throngs of media seeking their attention.
NYRA's TV analyst and handicapper Andy Serling took over as master of ceremonies and was soon joined by NYRA CEO Chris Kay, who explained some of the changes to this year's Belmont Festival, including awards for the top owner, trainer and jockey of the festival who will receive trophies designed by Tiffanys.
NYRA announcer Larry Collmus was next up to the microphone for the draw of the loaded Belmont day undercard, which includes the GI Metropolitan H., GI Knob Creek Manhattan S., GI Ogden Phipps S., GI Acorn S. and GI Longine Just a Game S.
It was no surprise when GI Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine Untapable (Tapit) was installed as the whopping 2-5 chalk in the Ogden Phipps after drawing post four. It was last year's Belmont winner Tonalist (Tapit) who got the morning-line nod from oddsmaker Eric Donovan in an extremely loaded renewal of the Met Mile, where he drew the four-hole, a few minutes later.
Upon the completion of the undercard draw, Kay returned to the microphone to annouce NYRAs newly signed a multi-year deal with NBC to telecast the Belmont, as well as several of their other major races at Belmont, Saratoga and Aqueduct.
Kay handed the reins back to Collmus for the highly anticipated Belmont draw after which Serling got back on the mic to interview the connections.
The first name to be drawn was Mossarosa's Frammento (Midshipman), who was assigned the four-hole and given odds of 30-1. The Nick Zito trainee, who was the only Belmont contender that did not have any representatives at the draw, was last seen finishing 11th in the GI Kentucky Derby and stepped onto the Belmont track for the first time just three hours earlier.
The next name called was dual Classic winner American Pharoah and his connections cheered and applauded as he drew the five-hole. They were also the first ones called to the podium by Serling following the draw.
Baffert was up first and expressed his satisfaction with post five, and explained that he didn't think there was a bad post in this eight-horse field. When asked how it would feel to win the Triple Crown, especially after three failed previous attempts, the Hall of Famer remained humble.
“I don't know how I'm going to feel about it because I know how tough it is, so I never get ahead of myself,” Baffert remarked. “I want to win it for the horse because the horse is deserving of it.”
Espinoza, who was in this same position last year with California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit), was up next and expressed similar satisfaction with the post. He was quickly followed by the Zayats, who were both grateful and surprised to have a Triple Crown contender.
“We are very honored and very blessed to be here,” Ahmed Zayat said. “I think this is going to be a rider's race. It's a small, but tough and talented field.”
Zayat added, “I'm confident in the ability of American Pharoah, because the horse is giving me that confidence. I'm not arrogant about it. I think he's a special horse. What makes him special in my opinion is the way he moves. He's the best moving horse I have ever seen.”
Two-time Belmont winner Todd Pletcher was all business as he joined Serling on stage. His duo of GI Florida Derby hero Materiality (Afleet Alex) and GII Peter Pan S. winner Madefromlucky (Lookin at Lucky) drew posts eight and three, respectively.
“Both of them give me the impression they will [get the 1 1/2-mile distance,] Pletcher said. “Both of them have won twice at 1 1/8 miles. Materiality is by Afleet Alex, who is a Belmont winner. The way that he closed in the Derby after getting off to a bad start is encouraging as well.”
Hall of Famer John Velazquez, who will ride 6-1 shot Materiality and Javier Castellano, who has the mount on 12-1 shot Madefromlucky, were next at the mic. Trading silks for sports coats, the pair explained how being a part of the Belmont jockey colony gives them an edge in the Test of a Champion.
“I definitely say it's an advantage for us because we are there the whole time,” said two-time Belmont winner Velazquez. “We know where the poles are and where the racetrack is. You've got a good feeling now.”
Castellano added, “We race a lot here and we have a lot of successes at the track. And we know the poles, like Johnny said. And this is a very tricky track…and you have to be concerned about the stretch. It's the toughest stretch, too.”
The very popular international trainer Mike de Kock made his way to the podium after a enthusastic introduction from Serling. His charge, G2 UAE Derby winner Mubtaahij (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) drew the rail and was given odds of 10-1 following his eighth-place effort in the Kentucky Derby. De Kock is confident Mubtaahij will improve in this second U.S. start and feels that having had the colt stabled in Elmont for several weeks, as opposed to the short time he had at Churchill prior to the Derby, would be an added advantage.
“He's done well,” the South African-based trainer commented. “The fact he's been settled in one place for, I think just under three and a half weeks now, has made a different to him. He settled in very well, training, very happy with the way he's going in training.”
The affable Dallas Stewart represented GI Preakness S. runner-up Tale of Verve (Tale of Ekati), who entered the Preakness off a maiden win at Keeneland.
“He's a big horse and it's a big track,” Stewart said. “I just really felt he would love it. So we got him up here and he had a good work in :59. He got over the ground great. I think he's pretty impressive.”
Jimmy Bell, head of Darley America, was quite happy with GI TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial winner Frosted (Tapit)'s draw in post six. The 5-1 second choice was a late running fourth in the Derby.
“He came out of that race very fresh, very well,” Bell remarked. “Came back to his home base–it's nice to train in your own backyard. He has continued to keep climbing the ladder.”
Last, but not least, at the podium was Donegal Racing's Jerry Crawford, owner of Keen Ice (Curlin). The hulking bay drew the seven-hole and was given a morning-line quote of 20-1. When asked how he felt about his potential role as spoiler, Crawford first joked with Justin Zayat before getting serious.
“You know, to be serious about it, all of us who are running against American Pharoah, on Saturday owe it to history, owe it to prior Triple Crown runners and owe it to American Pharoah to be that if he wins the race on Saturday, he will have earned it honestlyand against great competition.”
That remark was met by a round of applause initiated by Ahmed Zayat, who was nodding along in agreement throughout Crawford's comments.
The Belmont Stakes Festival kicks off Thursday with a full card of live racing.
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