No field set yet as of 5/22.  Will list some early probable and/or possibles, but these are not official or guaranteed.

EDIT 5/24 to reflect the field as shown on Brisnet early PPs:  13 horses
Edit 6/01 to reflect field as shown on "updated" Early Brisnet early PPs:  11 horses
Edit 6/05 to delete Raise Cain and Prove Worthy

Forte
Sun Thunder
Red Route One
Tapit Trice
Kingsbarns
Raise Cain
Hit Show
Arcangelo
Reincarnate
Angel of Empire
National Treasure
Arabian Lion
Prove Worthy
Il Miracolo
Tapit Shoes


Mage not going per Restrepo:  "Mage will ship to The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, Ky. in the coming days for some 'down time,' ...

He has been on engine since January.”

I'm guessing Tapit Trice will me morning line favorite?

I'll take a stab and say Baffert's National Treasure will be the fave for the Belmont.

Does he walk the dog to another triple crown race win?? Who is the speed of the Belmont?

Pletcher or Cox should employ a rabbit to set up for either Angel or Trice!

All

Johnny Vee has become the Mike Smith/Victor Espinoza replace for Baff barn. Now he and Baff are after East Coast presence pie.  And perhaps Baff knowing JVee would glee at beating jocks at home and away getting primo stock.

Once 1st call for Pletcher and stables like Repole, Johnny V/agent lost business to Irad Ortiz Jr in particular. And other leading trainers pretty much stayed with their committed 1st callers.

Go with Over/Under: Baff goes Monmouth Haskell with free trip to BC and onto Spa Travers. With hopes of biggest money at BC.

Save the longest shot D'Tara in his Belmont Stakes at hour glass time; National Treasure is likely caught by a NYRA jockey; knowing exactly where Johnny Vee will be and over a mile and a half and can clearly see.

Baff owns Haskell having entered so many winning rascals (had to get that in)

Creates another Over/Under: win or beat in Belmont Stakes (and time be slow)

The amount of extra push on the colt perhaps would take too much out of him; and not physically recover for 3 yr old season.

NYRA gave no quarter to Baff in his Derby drug test preoccupations.

And one can bet the biz savvy Monmouth gurus (they maiden voyaged US in states sports betting ya know) are calling in their support to Baff publicly in the Medina Spirit tango. Ran 2nd 2022 Haskell/Tabia/Mike Smith.And Monmouth offers one of 3 TC winners. .

Derby Winner out for Bel Stks.  

That's the fox trot. (d)

Interesting article by Frank Mitchell on Arcangelo.

https://fmitchell07.wordpress.com/2023/05/22/the-classic-traditions-of-arcangelo/

Paulick report lists these---

Forte, training at Belmont, Pletch says he is looking forward to running in Belmont...
Tapit Trice
Prove Worthy -- Pletch will see how field shapes up and make decision...
and--
"Among the other possible starters are Grade 3 Peter Pan-winner Arcangelo [Jena Antonucci], Sir Barton-winner Arabian Lion [Bob Baffert]; Grade 1 Preakness winner National Treasure [Baffert], Grade 3 Gotham winner Raise Cain [Ben Colebrook]; multiple graded stakes-placed Red Route One [Steve Asmussen]; and Grade 2 Risen Star runner-up Sun Thunder [Ken McPeek]."

Forte will be fresh colt & Irad Ortiz Jr skills at longest distance at home court Big Sandy should beat Preak winner (if NT in).

Tapit Trice will not run well unless gelded. Doubtful option this early.

Quite frankly Belmont shaping up to be more of the same ol same ol  

Possible 4 Pletchers, 3 Bafferts, 2 Coxes 

Just name the TC the "super trainer Crown" and get it over with.   

4 horses from one trainer in a shortish field of 13 (if we're lucky)?

Tapits always dangerous in the Belmont. Angel of Empire has to be considered. Forte, if healthy, will be tough. I’m probably not betting though, if none of those are above 7-1.

Possibly 8 to 10 max per Greining of DRF.