War of Will leads list of Derby alumni aiming for Belmont Stakes

May 21, 2019 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

War of Will appears poised to be the only horse to compete in all three Triple Crown events this spring as the Preakness (G1) winner heads an early list of possible entries for the $1.5 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on June 8.

The longest of the three classics at 1 1/2 miles, the Belmont is also likely to feature a number of other Kentucky Derby (G1) participants.

In addition to War of Will, who was placed seventh at Churchill Downs, the Belmont field could also include Tacitus (third), Game Winner (fifth), Japanese invader Master Fencer (sixth), Tax (14th), and Spinoff (18th).

The Bill Mott-trained Tacitus, who previously captured the Wood Memorial (G2) and Tampa Bay Derby (G2), could vie for favoritism in the 'Test of the Champion.' The Juddmonte Farms-owned gray is by Tapit, who has sired three of the past five winners of the Belmont: Tapwrit (2017), Creator (2016), and Tonalist (2014).

Everfast and Owendale, who finished second and third, respectively, behind War of Will in the Preakness, could take another shot in the Belmont, while only two Triple Crown newcomers are currently under consideration for the Belmont.

Intrepid Heart, also a son of Tapit, is heading to the Belmont after finishing third in the May 11 Peter Pan (G3) as a heavy favorite after stumbling at the start. He and Spinoff are trained by three-time Belmont winner Todd Pletcher. Stakes winner Sir Winston, a surprise second in the Peter Pan after going unplaced in three straight Kentucky Derby preps, is another currently in the Belmont picture.

(Coady Photography)