Belmont Stakes 2023 Horses: Entry List, Vegas Odds and Dark-Horse Favorites | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Red Route One

While history suggests a true long shot won't win the Belmont, Red Route One has the skills to make it interesting.

The Steve Asmussen-trained colt is a late closer who couldn't quite make up ground at the Preakness, ultimately finishing fourth. However, he will be steered by a seasoned jockey in Joel Rosario, who has three wins in Triple Crown races on his resume.

The 38-yer-old rider has claimed victory at the Belmont Stakes twice, atop Tonalist in 2014 and Sir Winston four years ago.

In a race that lacks early speed, Rosario will have a chance to position Red Route One in the early stages for a late break. But he'll need to pick up the pace earlier than he did at the Preakness, where the horse finished nearly five lengths behind National Treasure.

Red Route One has been a competitive ride, finishing in the top four in three of his last four races, including a victory at the Bath House Row Stakes in April. He should be considered a strong outsider on Saturday.

Bettors looking for a long shot who may actually win should consider Hit Show. The Brad H. Cox-trained hasn't won since taking first in the Withers (Grade 3) in February but has had two top-five finishes in the two races since.

That includes a fifth-place finish at the Kentucky Derby, where Hit Show seemed to tire at the end of a strong late push. In what is shaping up to be a slightly slower field than we saw at Churchill Downs, the colt could be better positioned for a late break.

"I think he can stay on. Manny made the comment when he got off him this could be a Belmont horse," Cox said, per David Grening of Daily Racing Form.

Jockey Manuel Franco has claimed victory here before, winning the 2020 Belmont atop Tiz the Law. Cox trained 2021 Belmont winner Essential Quality.

Hit Show is one of three horses trained by Cox in the race, along with Angel of Empire and late entrant Tapit Shoes.

21+ and present in AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, or WV. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit (CT), 1-800-GAMBLER or visit (CO, IA, IN, IL, NJ, PA, VA), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY(467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or visit (WV).