Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes, 1 1/8 miles, Belmont Park, June 20, 2020 (150 Derby qualifying points for a win, 60 for second, 30 for third, 15 for fourth) Winner: Tiz the Law, by Constitution Trainer: Barclay Tagg Jockey: Manny Franco Owners: Sackatoga Stable Beyer Speed Figure: 100 In this most-unusual year, where the Belmont Stakes was run at a different distance than recent tradition and ended up leading off the Triple Crown while offering significant points toward the Kentucky Derby, this race had logic, normalcy, and reason. TIZ THE LAW continued to dominate the best of the runners located on the East Coast and further solidified his position atop the current Derby leaderboard with a clear-cut victory. The race could not have come up better for him. I’ve noted previously that my only concern with this extremely talented colt is his apparent reluctance to be inside. But he drew post 8 in the one-turn, 1 1/8-mile race, with speed inside of him, a dream setup on paper. It played out as his connections would have hoped, with a stalking trip where he never looked in danger. He was ridden with confidence by Franco, and left his rivals well behind. He equaled his career-best Beyer Speed Figure. Next stop, the Runhappy Travers, and then, four weeks later, the Derby. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2020: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more In this race, Tiz the Law broke sharply and then was rated just behind and outside of TAP IT TO WIN and FORE LEFT. He remained there to the far turn, where he began to advance on the leaders from the three path while still looking as if he was breezing in a workout. After Fore Left dropped away, he ranged up outside Tap It to Win approaching the quarter pole, with Franco sneaking a peak back to see if anyone was advancing. Tiz the Law led into the lane, finally was asked to accelerate nearing the three-sixteenths pole, quickly opened a daylight advantage, steadily increased his margin, and galloped out with authority. DR POST, who finished second, broke a half-step slow but advanced quickly to take up a forward position drafting behind Tiz the Law. He got shuffled back in a bit of traffic early on the far turn, was angled out nearing the quarter pole and re-engaged while four paths wide, was slightly late changing leads in upper stretch, then finished up well. He was no threat to the winner, but this was only his fourth start. There’s plenty of upside here, and he’s got 11 weeks until the Derby to get better. In a year when late developers are in play, he’s a serious prospect. MAX PLAYER, who was third, lacked early speed and was ninth early while racing along the rail. He moved closer nearing the far turn, had to pick his way through traffic rounding the bend, was angled about five wide – just outside and behind Dr Post – entering the lane, and finished steadily while cutting slightly into his deficit behind Dr Post. My thought earlier this year was that he was a cut below this group, but considering this was his first start in 4 1/2 months and against the best field he’s ever faced, he’s clearly a better horse now. :: Start earning weekly cashback on your wagering today. Click to learn more. PNEUMATIC, who was fourth, broke sharply and then settled into a spot just behind and outside Tiz the Law down the backstretch. He raced four paths wide for much of the far turn, followed Tiz the Law into the lane, but flattened out during the final furlong while passed by both Dr Post and Max Player. Tap It to Win, who was fifth, flew out of the gate from his inside draw and took the lead while being kept a few lanes off the rail. He continued to lead until the quarter pole after disposing of pace rival Fore Left, but put up no resistance when challenged by Tiz the Law and faded. He was coming back on short rest (16 days), so it’s conceivable he bounced, but he was disappointing. Perhaps he can rebound with ample time until his next start. SOLE VOLANTE, who finished sixth, also was coming back on short rest, having performed 10 days earlier at Gulfstream. More significant, perhaps, he added front leg wraps for this race. Regardless, he was dull. He trailed early, was in the two path for the entirety of the far turn, angled out coming off the bend and was not far behind Max Player at that point, but stayed on his wrong lead down the lane and had no punch. MODERNIST, who was seventh, bumped with FARMINGTON ROAD leaving the gate, then crossed over to the rail down the backstretch, but was not nearly as forwardly placed as in prior races. He crept closer entering the far turn while splitting Dr Post and JUNGLE RUNNER, saved ground for much of the turn, was outrun in upper stretch, took an awkward step while changing leads, and never threatened. Farmington Road, who was eighth, raced about three paths off the rail while outside Modernist down the backstretch, waited behind some traffic nearing the far turn, followed stablemate Dr Post around the turn, but came under a ride before reaching the top of the stretch, got floated out by an onrushing Max Player, and capitulated. Fore Left, who was ninth, was sent along to prompt the pace of Tap It to Win, stayed in that spot entering the far turn, began to yield five-sixteenths out and was sympathetically ridden the rest of the way while tiring. Jungle Runner, who was last of 10, has been repeatedly overmatched and again was put in a spot far exceeding the grasp of a horse who entered the race with a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 66. He was sent along down the backstretch and advanced to fourth while inside Tiz the Law nearing the far turn, but began his retreat with a half-mile remaining, was last with three furlongs to go, and finished well back of the field, beaten nearly 40 lengths.