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| Staff Writer |
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There will be no Triple Crown winner in 2024, as Mystik Dan's attempt to become the 14th horse to win all three races ended in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, where he couldn't catch Seize the Grey.
Seize the Grey now leads a group of interesting contenders for this year's Belmont Stakes, which will be held at Saratoga due to the construction of a new grandstand at Belmont Park. The race will be shortened from the traditional 1½ miles to 1¼ miles because of the Saratoga track's layout, potentially attracting more competitors.
In 2020, the Belmont Stakes was run at 1⅛ miles because the order of the Triple Crown races was changed due to the pandemic.
Here are some potential contenders for the 2024 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga on 8th June.
Seize the Grey
The 88YO Lukas celebrated his seventh Preakness and 15th Triple Crown race win as Seize the Grey led the field from start to finish. The colt earned his spot by winning the Gr.2 Pat Day Mile on Derby Day, his first stakes win and the first graded stakes win for jockey Jamie Torres. He previously finished seventh in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes and third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone, a close runner-up in the Kentucky Derby, was just a nose away from heading to the Preakness to keep the Triple Crown dream alive. Despite rallying from 18th place, the Gun Runner colt, bought for US$2.3 million, drifted during the stretch drive. He has impressive Beyer Speed Figures of 98 and 99 in his last two races, including the Gr.1 Blue Grass Stakes.
Fierceness
Derby favorite Fierceness faded to 15th after battling for the lead through six furlongs. This came five weeks after his dominant win in the Gr.1 Florida Derby by 13½ lengths, earning a 110 Beyer Speed Figure. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner aims to bounce back after five weeks off.
Antiquarian
Antiquarian is improving and could join the Triple Crown races after winning the Gr.3 Peter Pan at Aqueduct, overtaking The Wine Steward in the final 1/16-mile. He previously finished sixth in the Gr.2 Louisiana Derby.
The Wine Steward
The Wine Steward led in the stretch of the Gr.3 Peter Pan but was overtaken by Antiquarian, finishing second by ¾-length. This continues a pattern of close second-place finishes in the Gr.3 Lexington Stakes and the Gr.1 Breeders’ Futurity.
Honor Marie
Honor Marie had a rough start in the Kentucky Derby, finishing last after half a mile but rallying to finish eighth. He came from far back in the Gr.2 Louisiana Derby, only to be out-closed by Catching Freedom, losing by a length.
West Saratoga
West Saratoga hasn’t won since the Gr.3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs last September. He had a difficult trip in the Kentucky Derby, being pushed wide entering the stretch despite sitting in a good position earlier.