Belmont Stakes Contenders: Protective
Protective, a maiden trained by Todd Pletcher with solid stamina bloodlines and consistent performances in graded stakes at Aqueduct, is a contender for the Belmont Stakes.
Protective, although still a maiden, has shown promise in his four-lifetime starts. In the Wood Memorial, he finished 3¾ lengths behind winner Resilience and 1½ lengths behind Society Man. Despite not having a win, his steady performances in graded stakes suggest he has the potential to compete at a high level.
Saratoga Race Course will host the 156th Belmont Stakes (G1) on Saturday, June 8. The race, now 1 ¼ miles instead of the usual 1 ½ miles due to Belmont Park’s reconstruction, is the concluding event of the Triple Crown series.
Betting Analysis
For those looking to bet on horses, Protective presents an interesting option with Belmont Stakes odds at 20-1. Although he hasn’t secured a victory yet, his consistent placements and strong pedigree make him a contender worth considering. However, bettors should note that he has only managed third and fourth-place finishes in his two-turn races.
Trainer Todd Pletcher, a veteran with multiple Belmont wins, believes in Protective’s potential. Pletcher’s success with horses like Rags to Riches and Mo Donegal in the Belmont Stakes adds credibility to his decision to enter Protective.
Despite being a maiden, Protective’s performances in graded stakes demonstrate his capability to compete against the leading 3-year-olds at this distance.
Race Details
– Post Position: 7
– Odds: 20-1
– Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
– Trainer: Todd Pletcher
– Owner: Repole Stable
– Career Record: 4-0-1-2
– Career Earnings: $121,920
– Most Recent Race: Peter Pan Stakes, May 11 (3rd)
– Top Equibase Speed Figure: 98
– Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro – Grace Hall, by Empire Maker
– Color: Dark bay or brown
– Running Style: Stalker/closer
Owned by Repole Stable, Protective is part of a well-regarded operation known for its success in the racing industry. Repole, a New York City native, is passionate about the Belmont Stakes and has a sharp sense of humor, often sharing his racing insights and predictions.
His confidence in Protective, alongside stablemate Mindframe, highlights the potential he sees in his horses for this race. Protective stands out as a unique contender. With solid attractive longshot odds and a promising pedigree, Protective could surprise many in this year’s final leg of the Triple Crown. Bettors looking to bet on horses should keep an eye on this maiden with potential.
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seize The Grey | Jaime Torres | D. Wayne Lukas | MyRacehorse | 8-1 |
| 2 | Resilience | Junior Alvarado | Bill Mott | Emily Bushnell & Ric Waldman | 10-1 |
| 3 | Mystik Dan | Brian Hernandez, Jr. | Kenneth McPeek | Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC & Daniel Hamby III | 5-1 |
| 4 | The Wine Steward | Manny Franco | Mike Maker | Paradise Farms Corp. and Staudacher, David | 15-1 |
| 5 | Antiquarian | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Centennial Farms | 12-1 |
| 6 | Dornoch | Luis Saez | Danny Gargan | West Paces Racing LLC, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding LLC, Two Eight Racing LLC & Pine Racing Stable | 15-1 |
| 7 | Protective | Tyler Gaffalione | Todd Pletcher | Repole Stable | 20-1 |
| 8 | Honor Marie | Florent Geroux | Whit Beckman | Ribble Farms LLC | 12-1 |
| 9 | Sierra Leone | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown | Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B., Smith, Derrick, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing, LLC and Brant, Peter M. | 9-5 |
| 10 | Mindframe | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Todd Pletcher | Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC | 7-2 |