Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the storied race will occur without fans.
The Belmont Stakes was originally scheduled for June 6. It has been second in the Triple Crown some years, but never first.
Traditionally contested at 1 1/2-miles, the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes will also be shorter, run at a distance of 1 1/8-miles to properly account for the schedule adjustments to the Triple Crown series and overall calendar for 3-year-old horses in training.
The Kentucky Derby was rescheduled from the first Saturday in May to September 5, while the Preakness, usually the second leg, was rescheduled from May 16 to October 3.
The Belmont Stakes lost three top horses to injury: trainer Bob Baffert's undefeated duo of Charlatan and Nadal, along with Maxfield. Tiz the Law was made the early 6-5 favorite and drew the No. 8 post in the 10-horse field.
Trainer Barclay Tagg was hoping the Florida Derby winner, to be ridden by Manny Franco, would land anywhere between spots 5 to 7 in the starting gate.
"It could have been worse," Tagg said from behind a mask. "He likes this track, so I'm glad to be back on it."
The starting gate will be positioned in the far corner of the sprawling track with the horses looking at a run down the backside rather than breaking from in front of the grandstand when the race is 1 1/2 miles.
"It's going to be a far different scene for sure," trainer Todd Pletcher, who has two entries, said this week. "It's sad in some ways, but we're grateful we're getting an opportunity to run."
Tagg is trying to win the race that eluded him in 2003. Funny Cide, a New York-bred horse owned by Sackatoga Stable just like Tiz the Law, won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness to set up a Triple Crown bid in the Belmont that year. But the hugely popular Funny Cide finished third, beaten by Empire Maker, on a rainy day.
At 82, Tagg is back to try again with Tiz the Law, who brings the strongest resume to the race. He is the only colt in the field with a Grade 1 victory and actually has two: the Champagne and Florida Derby.
"He does everything we ask of him," the trainer said. "We're pleased with him."
Sole Volante is the 9-2 second choice. Dr Post is the 5-1 third choice, and Tap It to Win is the 6-1 fourth choice. Pneumatic at 8-1 is the only other horse listed at single-digit odds. Five others are 15-1 or higher.
"There isn't quite the star power we all expected," said Jack Knowlton of Sackatoga Stable, which paid $110,000 for Tiz the Law.
Besides Dr Post, Pletcher is taking aim with Farmington Road, one of three 15-1 shots in the field.
Linda Rice will try to become the first woman to train a Belmont winner in the race's 152-year history when she saddles 15-1 shot Max Player.
"They just haven't given women enough time yet," she said, jokingly.
The field in post-position order with jockey and odds: Tap It to Win, John Velazquez, 6-1; Sole Volante, Luca Panici, 9-2; Max Player, Joel Rosario, 15-1; Modernist, Junior Alvarado, 15-1; Farmington Road, Javier Castellano, 15-1; Fore Left, Jose Ortiz, 30-1; Jungle Runner, Reylu Gutierrez, 50-1; Tiz the Law, Franco, 6-5; Dr Post, Irad Ortiz Jr., 5-1; Pneumatic, Ricardo Santana, 8-1.
For more information, please visit BelmontStakes.com.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
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