"Test of Champions" Draws Field of Thirteen for Third Leg of Triple Crown

Exaggerator headlines the field as the morning line favorite at odds of 9-5 for trainer Keith Desormeaux. Jockey Kent Desormeaux will be back aboard after a brief stint in a rehabilitation facility to address his ongoing struggles with alcohol abuse. Exaggerator, a dark bay son of Curlin, finished second in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after winning a key prep race, the Santa Anita Derby (G1). He avenged that defeat last time out in the Preakness Stakes (G1) over a sloppy track and will break from post position eleven.

Destin fresh after Kentucky Derby 

Also in the field at morning line odds of 6-1 is Destin, one of two horses in the race for trainer Todd Pletcher. A lightly-raced son of Giant’s Causeway, he won two graded stakes races at Tampa Bay Downs before finishing sixth in the Run for the Roses off of an eight-week layoff. He has been training steadily at Belmont Park since then and will have jockey Javier Castellano aboard from post position two. Pletcher will also saddle Stradivari, 5-1 on the morning line.

Quirky Lani continung to improve

There will be several fresh contenders who have not competed in any of the Triple Crown races as well as some colts who made appearances in either the Derby or Preakness. Lani is the only other horse besides Exaggerator who will have contested all three legs of the Triple Crown. Lani, a longshot at odds of 20-1, was ninth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and fifth in the Preakness Stakes (G1). He will break from post position ten with regular rider Yutaka Tate aboard.