By Jara Jones
ELMONT, N.Y.--Horse racing fans and bettors can now rejoice as the most celebrated horse racing event in the United States, which is the Triple Crown Series, commences next month.
Earlier this year, most sporting events were suspended due to the Coronavirus outbreak, but the Triple Crown Series is continuing its season this year.
The Triple Crown Series is made up of three races, usually beginning with the Kentucky Derby, which is now moved to the last part of the series on Sept. 5.
The Preakness Stakes, usually the second leg, becomes the last on Oct. 3.
The Belmont Stakes, which used to be the final leg, will kick off the series this year on June 20 and has been shortened from 1 1/2 miles to 1 1/8 miles.
Hence, some major considerations and realignments will occur when it comes to the qualifying entries competing at the Belmont Stakes.
The latest 2020 Belmont Stakes odds show Florida Derby winner Tiz The Law as the overall 5-2 favorite.
WHILE THE Derby still considers the horses' qualifying points through prep races, the following are the significant changes that every racehorse must meet before it can be viewed as part of the Belmont Stakes showdown this June.
The First Eight Starters
For the first eight racehorses to compete in the Belmont Stakes, NYRA will qualify a horse according to its recent earnings.
Horses can also get a sure spot when they accomplish top finishes in graded stakes races, especially those that are participating in the road to the Triple Crown events.
A racehorse who managed to win a race with longer course distance is also in for this category.
The Next Five Starters
For racehorses who do not qualify in the first category, they might fall under the next set of line ups.
Although they don't have the highest earnings or any major placements, they can still compete in the Belmont Stakes if they had top spots on non-restricted stakes races with excellent profits.
Non-restricted stakes races refer to horse racing games that are not a significant part of the Triple Crown trails, yet provide a huge leap in the horses' racing forms.
Racehorses who belong to State Bred do not qualify to be part of this category.
Age And Sex Variations
The Belmont Stakes, and the Triple Crown, only allow 3-year-old thoroughbreds.
Fillies, are likely welcomed to partake in the Belmont Stakes but there is a slight restriction when it comes to their racing form.
A filly is only allowed to enter and be part of the two categories mentioned above when they have raced over a minimum of 1 ⅛ mile.
Final Three Starters
The final three starters, which will complete the 16 Belmont Stakes starter will be determined by the Belmont Stakes officials.
That team is composed of distinguished panels and horse racing enthusiasts known as the Belmont Stakes Selection Committee which is formed by NYRA to select which horse can still qualify in the Run For The Carnations.
Although the NYRA has not yet set any guidelines for reserve entrants, there’s a possibility that some racehorses might back out before or during the race day.
Because of this, the reserve entrants are horses that will replace the defaulted runners.
According to some horse racing enthusiasts, the Belmont Stakes will serve as the Kentucky Derby this year, and there is a high possibility that the best horses are lining up to vie for the Triple Crown title this season.
Keyword: The Belmont Stakes
