Belmont Stakes 2015 Post Time: Race Schedule, Live Stream and NBC TV Info
It's been 37 years since we've seen a Triple Crown winner, but there's reason to believe American Pharoah can end that drought in the 2015 Belmont Stakes.
The talented colt received heaps of praise following his victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Mike de Kock, trainer of Belmont contender Mubtaahij, spoke highly of Pharoah during an interview with Wayne Coffey of the New York Daily News:
"I've rarely seen a horse move the way he does. I've rarely seen a horse train the way he does. If the jockey didn't pull him up, he looks like he'd be ready to go around again."
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Are the stars aligning for Pharoah to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978? Before we attempt to answer that question, let's take a look at the race's essential viewing information and updated odds.
2015 Belmont Stakes Viewing Info
Date: Saturday, June 6
Where: Belmont Park in Elmont, New York
TV Time: 4:30-7 p.m. ET, NBC
Post Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Mobile Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Belmont Stakes Contenders Info
| 1 | Mubtaahij | 14-1 | Irad Ortiz Jr. |
| 2 | Tale of Verve | 20-1 | Gary Stevens |
| 3 | Madefromlucky | 14-1 | Javier Castellano |
| 4 | Frammento | 40-1 | Mike Smith |
| 5 | American Pharoah | 5-7 | Victor Espinoza |
| 6 | Frosted | 6-1 | Joel Rosario |
| 7 | Keen Ice | 25-1 | Kent Desormeaux |
| 8 | Materiality | 13-2 | John R. Velasquez |
All Belmont Stakes odds courtesy of Odds Shark.
Assessing American Pharoah's Odds
At 5-7 to win the Belmont Stakes, American Pharoah is the odds-on favorite in his final Triple Crown race. When looking at the colt's recent body of work, it's easy to see why he's garnering plenty of attention from oddsmakers and bettors.
Pharoah hasn't had an easy run through the first two legs of the Triple Crown, as he's faced some difficult opposition and has been plagued by bad luck during post-positions draws.
With a very large and talented field slated for the Kentucky Derby, Pharoah drew the No. 18 gate—he would later start from gate No. 16 due to scratches—and his post position forced him to make up plenty of additional ground in an effort to get himself into a good spot near the lead pack.
After exerting early energy, he settled into third position but had to run three wide off the rail for the majority of the race as a result. Despite the additional distance, Pharoah maintained enough stamina to make a late push, rounding the final turn and bolting to the front of the pack down the stretch.
Take a look back at the race as a refresher:
Pharoah followed up that win with another sparkling performance in the Preakness Stakes. The colt faced a different challenge at Pimlico, as he drew the dreaded No. 1 gate—a starting position that had previously yielded just one winner since 1961.
In an effort to avoid getting stuck in traffic or pinned against the rail, jockey Victor Espinoza asked Pharoah to accelerate quickly and run hard early in the race. The colt complied and burst to the front of the pack on the rain-soaked track. Remarkably, Pharoah still had enough stamina to maintain the lead throughout the race and go on to win by seven lengths.
Here's a look at the race in its entirety:
Those two performances showcased Pharoah's extremely solid stamina and ability to close out races. Both of those attributes will be immensely important in the lengthy 1 ½-mile Belmont Stakes.
Pharoah's fortunes turned in New York, as the colt finally came away with a solid post position. He'll be starting from the No. 5 gate, which has been historically solid, producing a total of 13 winners over the years.
Trainer Bob Baffert shared his delight with the draw during an interview with the Associated Press (via ESPN.com): "I've always liked the five. It's a number I always do well with. More important is the horse is doing well.
Espinoza was thrilled as well. Here's what he had to say during an interview with Dan Wolken of USA Today: "I'm very happy with the draw. I'm feeling lucky this year. Third time's the charm."
There's also the matter of this interesting statistic from Keith Sergeant of NJ.com: No Triple Crown winner has ever defeated more than seven horses in the Belmont Stakes. It just so happens that this year's field features a total of eight contenders.
The stars do appear to be aligning for Pharoah at Belmont Park. It will be a grueling and highly competitive race, but don't be surprised if the Triple Crown drought comes to an end in 2015.
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