Belmont Stakes Post Positions 2022: With rain in the forecast for Saturday, Rich Strike draws No. 4

The draw for the 154th edition of Saturday's Belmont Stakes took place on Tuesday ... the gates have been assigned.

With a $1.5 million purse, the race continues to serve as the final stop along the Triple Crown Trail. It is truly the "Test of a Champion," going 1 1/2 on "Big Sandy's" Main Track! The Kentucky Derby winner, Rich Strike, returns, along with a host of others that have assembled!

All the Post Positions are listed below, along with an overview of the draw itself. JN Campbell will roll out his Preview for the big race on Thursday. So, stay tuned ...

The post position draw is in the books ... as 7 colts and 1 filly will complete the line for the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on Saturday. Eric Reed's Rich Strike #4 has drawn the 4-hole!

At beautiful Belmont Park, NYRA's Andy Serling served as the master of ceremonies for the event. The Kentucky Derby winner, once again piloted by regular rider Sonny Leon, arrived in Elmont, New York last week, and is getting acclimatized to the surface and the surroundings. Reed, along with RED TR-Racing LLC., made the key decision to bypass the Preakness S. (G1), and specifically prep for this event. It should not come as a surprise that M/L oddsmaker David Aragona shied away from making him the favorite. Hence, 7/2 ... Questions abound, especially when it comes to whether or not his 80/1 win under the Twin Spires was an aberration. Speaking of the current M/L though, that distinction goes to Rudy Brisset's speedy son of Constitution, We the People #1. At odds of 2/1, he will be ridden by Flavien Prat, a jockey who has made NYRA his permanent home. Bettors are buzzing about the Peter Pan (G3) winner being the first horse to score the Pan-Belmont Double since Christophe Clement's Tonalist back in 2014. Owned by WinStar and Siena Farm, he will look to rebound in his 1st Grade 1 since running 7th in the Arkansas Derby in April.

It would not be a Belmont Stakes without the presence of HOF trainer Todd Pletcher. He comes to Big Sandy with 2 runners in his midst. Mo Donegal #6 (5/2) is a late-running star that made significant noise over the course of the Derby Trail, and was well-backed at the windows before the 1st leg of the Triple Crown at Churchill. Donegal Racing sold a portion of the horse to Repole Stable before the race, but they were disappointed with an off-the-board finish of 5th, when it was all said and done. With Irad Ortiz back aboard, they are hoping for better. As for the other half of Pletcher's play, it is great to see a filly come calling who was the runner-up to D.W. Lukas' Secret Oath in the G1 Kentucky Oaks. Nest #3 (8/1) is powerful, and with Jose Ortiz at the controls, she figures to be an intriguing play based on her form for the ever-popular Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Unlike the boys (who will carry 126 lbs.), she will sport 121 lbs. The last filly to win the Belmont Stakes ... 2007 ... Todd Pletcher's Rags to Riches.

Rounding out the field of 8, we have Saffie Joseph's Skippylongstocking #2 (20/1, 5th in the Preakness S.), Kenny McPeek's Creative Minister #5 (6/1, 3rd in the Preakness S.), Mark Casse's Golden Glider #7 (20/1, 2nd in the Peter Pan), and finally, Johnny Ortiz's Barber Road #8 (10/1, 6th in the Kentucky Derby). Conditioners McPeek and Casse are both former winners of the Belmont Stakes with long shots Sarava (70/1) and Sir Winston (10/1) ... it can happen. With rain in the forecast for Saturday, it will be just another layer of discussion as we point towards the 154th edition of this storied American race ...

--------------------------

Stay tuned for J.N. Campbell's preview of all the major races on Saturday at Belmont, as he takes a closer look at the fields. Be sure to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!