Preview of the Belmont Stakes' Top Trainers

by Patricia Woo | May 24 2010

Alexis Barbra is the only female trainer in this year's Triple Crown series and so far has enjoyed success with her charge Make Music For Me. The Bernstein colt was not in the top 20 list of graded stakes earners going into the first leg of the Triple Crown, but sneaked into the Kentucky Derby at the 11th hour with the help of a few defections. And Make Music For Me made the most of his opportunity, surprising many with his fourth-place finish. Her other top trainee is Alphie's Bet, who was also on the Triple Crown trail but did not earn enough graded stakes to secure a berth to the Kentucky Derby – he has won three of his five races so far this year, indicating that Barbra, despite her inexperience, knows how to win.

Kiaran McLaughlin is another of this year's Belmont Stakes' top trainers. In 2006, his trainee Jazil captured the final leg of the Triple Crown with a thrilling last-to-first win. McLaughlin does not have nearly as much history with Uptowncharlybrown, this year's Belmont Stakes hopeful, but is looking to duplicate the same result as in 2006. Uptowncharlybrown began his 2010 campaign under the supervision of trainer Alan Seewald. But he passed away unexpectedly on April 12, just before his charge was to compete in the Gr. 2 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 17; Uptowncharlybrown finished in third. Owners Fantasy Lane Stable initially decided to move Uptowncharlybrown to the barn of Tim Ice, who had won the 2009 Belmont Stakes with Summer Bird, but ultimately chose McLaughlin to train this son of Limehouse; McLaughlin will have to overcome a brief partnership to have success in this year's Belmont Stakes.

The trainer with the most Belmont Stakes victories in this year's lineup is Nick Zito, who enjoyed success with relative longshots Birdstone in 2004 and Da'Tara in 2008. This year, Zito has two trainees entered in the Run for the Carnations. Ice Box, who impressed with his runner-up performance in the Kentucky Derby, is a favorite to win the Belmont Stakes. And Fly Down improved drastically off his 9th-place disaster in the Gr. 2 Louisiana Derby in March to win the Gr. 2 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park on May 8.

One other trainer of note: Bob Baffert, who won the 2001 Belmont Stakes with Point Given, is seeking his second title with Game On Dude.

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