2024 Belmont Stakes: Early Predictions Following Preakness

Andrew PetersMay 18, 2024

Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Mystik Dan had the chance to keep the Triple Crown title in play on Saturday in Baltimore, but came up just short in the Preakness Stakes as Seize the Grey took home the win.

NBC Sports @NBCSportsSeize The Grey WINS the 149th Preakness Stakes! 🌻 pic.twitter.com/Uqyb5nXPuS

Seize the Grey held the top spot for most of the race, but Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan used a late kick to get within a few feet of the first-place horse. Ultimately, the favorite coming into the race didn’t have enough to get past Seize the Grey.

NBC Sports @NBCSportsSEIZE THE GREY SEIZES THE DAY.

WATCH HIM DENY MYSTIK DAN THE CHANCE TO RUN FOR THE TRIPLE CROWN IN THE FULL 149TH PREAKNESS STAKES. pic.twitter.com/c2nLV0Ov1j

Seize the Grey, which has more than 2,500 microinvestors, helped 88-year-old trainer D. Wayne Lukas win his seventh Preakness, and together they will look to pick up a win at the Belmont Stakes in just a few weeks.

With such a short turnaround between the Derby, Preakness and Belmont it’s not clear which horses will race again on June 8, but if it’s a similar group at all three events, fans can get a good idea of which horses to watch.

The two winners of the Triple Crown so far both have a strong case to win at the Belmont Stakes.

Seize the Grey ran strong on Saturday and was clearly well conditioned, coming out fast and never really slowing down, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the three-year-old colt come away with another win. After not racing at the Derby, Seize the Grey should have somewhat fresh legs heading into the race.

But Mystik Dan has plenty of momentum after winning the Kentucky Derby and finishing second on Saturday. Mystik Dan is clearly in great shape and should be a heavy favorite at Belmont. While a Triple Crown title is off the table, Mystik Dan can still close out the season strong.

Though Seize the Grey and Mystik Dan have each won an event on the Triple Crown, a handful of other horses have fared well over the past month and could be due for a win at Belmont.

Catching Freedom finished fourth at the Kentucky Derby and was just outside of the top three that was decided by a photo finish. The horse followed that performance up with a third-place finish at Preakness.

After coming up just short twice now, it seems Catching Freedom could finally get over the hump and pick up a win at Belmont.

With a sport like horse racing, determining a winner is difficult, but Sieze the Grey, Mystik Dan and Catching Freedom have had some of the best performances on the Triple Crown and seem poised for big races at Belmont.