Belmont Stakes 2014: Post Time, Race Schedule and Latest Prize Money Info
There could hardly be a higher level of anticipation heading into the 2014 Belmont Stakes on Saturday. California Chrome has the chance to capture the imagination of sports fans all across the United States as he looks to complete a historic sweep of the Triple Crown.
Just 1 1/2 miles of dirt and dust separate this California-bred colt from becoming the first horse to win all three legs of the Triple Crown since Affirmed pulled it off in 1978.
Wednesday's reveal of the finalized field and post positions took care of the last real bit of mystery heading into the monumental race in Elmont, New York.
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The Belmont Stakes' Twitter account gave everyone a look at the morning line and post positions.
This race is a can't-miss sporting event. Here is the rundown on Saturday's post time, race schedule, and viewing information.
146th Belmont Stakes Post Time, Schedule
Where: Elmont, New York
When: Saturday, June 7
Post Time: 6:52 p.m. ET
TV Coverage: NBC, coverage begins 4:30 p.m. ET
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
The complete list of events set to take place at Belmont Park this Saturday can be found here.
In addition to Triple Crown glory, the Belmont Stakes offers up a lucrative $1.5 million purse to the top finishers in the field. Here is the breakdown on how the race organizers will dole out the prize money.
| Place | Payout |
| 1st | $800,000 |
| 2nd | $280,000 |
| 3rd | $150,000 |
| 4th | $100,000 |
| 5th | $60,000 |
| 6th | $45,000 |
| 7th | $35,000 |
| 8th | $30,000 |
Race Analysis
The post positions at Belmont aren't quite as pivotal as they are in other races. An inside post can be beneficial on the grueling Belmont Park track, as it allows horses to cut down on the ground they cover over the longest leg of the Triple Crown. In many other Grade 1 races, the inside is to be avoided, as it hinders a horse's ability to maneuver through the pack.
Here is the breakdown of the winners produced by each occupied post position.
| Post | Number of Winners |
| 1 | 23 |
| 2 | 11 |
| 3 | 13 |
| 4 | 9 |
| 5 | 13 |
| 6 | 7 |
| 7 | 11 |
| 8 | 5 |
| 9 | 3 |
| 10 | 2 |
| 11 | 2 |
(Note: Link to information in table can be found here.)
The majority of winners are crowded toward the inside part of the track, and the No. 1 post is king in this event.
This bodes well for Medal Count, a strong horse facing an uphill battle to overcome California Chrome and the rest of the top horses in the field. Medal Count finished eighth at the Kentucky Derby and skipped out on the Preakness in order to make a better play for Belmont glory.
The well-rested horse will enjoy the shorter distance around the track, but jockey Robby Albarado will have to make sure they don't get stuck on the inside rail and pushed toward the back of the pack.
California Chrome's handlers should be content with the No. 2 post. California Chrome has no racing experience at Belmont Park and will need every advantage he can get.
Luckily for this colt, he will partner up once again with jockey Victor Espinoza. They raced to victory together in the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Espinoza's knowledge of California Chrome's limits and the horse's comfort level with his jockey will be important, as expertly timed moves are essential to victory at the Belmont.
Assistant trainer Alan Sherman believes jockeys will have a big influence on the outcome of this race.
According to Bill Dwyre of the Los Angeles Times, Sherman said, "I think it's going to be a jockey's race, anyhow. It gives you a chance to see who's going to have the speed and where you land going into the first turn."
The No. 2 post will cut down on California Chrome's distance to that first turn and should help him settle in at the front of the pack before making his move at the home stretch.
The horses coming in from the outside will have plenty of work to do. Some observers have identified Wicked Strong in the No. 9 post as a strong threat to California Chrome's Triple Crown dream. This may be true regardless of where he lines up, but trainer Jimmy Jerkens would certainly have liked a better post position to work from.
“The middle seems like the place to be,” Jerkens told Childs Walker of The Baltimore Sun. “It seems like jockeys don’t have to do as much maneuvering in the early part of the race. It just makes it easier for them to settle their horse initially.”
There are a couple of Triple Crown runner-ups looking to play spoiler in the middle of the pack. Commanding Curve drew the No. 4 post and looks like he has a strong burst based on his second-place finish at the Derby.
Ride On Curlin, who crossed the finish line just behind California Chrome at the Preakness Stakes, will look to sit back and make a charge from the No. 5 post.
The combination of new shooters and battle-tested horses will make for an exciting edition of the Belmont Stakes. Look for the lead to change several times over the 12 furious furlongs. Espinoza and California Chrome will likely make their famous move at the top of the home stretch, but there is always the potential for them to flame out before the finish line.
Should California Chrome win the race, he will immediately enter the pantheon of legendary thoroughbreds. Seven consecutive wins, a Hollywood-worthy story and a Triple Crown victory will ensure that.
If he loses, horse racing aficionados and casual fans alike will have to endure another year of Triple Crown futility. Three Grade 1 races in just over a month is a difficult task for a modern day horse, and some might begin to wonder if a Triple Crown is even possible these days if the mighty California Chrome isn't up to the task.
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