Belmont Stakes 2024 Horses and Jockeys with Best Chance at Saratoga Race

The 156th running of the Belmont Stakes is set to go off on Saturday with Saratoga Race Course set to host the even in light of construction at the traditional Belmont Park.

There will be some modifications and a different feel. The 10-horse field will be competing over 1¼ miles instead of the usual 1½ that has given this race the moniker of "The Test of Champions".

It's still going to take some championship mettle from the horse that comes out donning the carnations. This is a talented field that features both the Kentucky Derby winner, Mystik Dan, and the Preakness winner, Seize the Grey.

It's going to take a talented colt getting the right guidance from a skilled jockey to navigate the field and win the final jewel of the Triple Crown this year. Here, we'll take a look at the field and break down the top horse-jockey combos who can win the race.

When: Saturday, June 8

Where: Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York

Post Time: 6:41 p.m.

Race Length: 1¼ miles

TV and Live Stream: Fox, Fox Sports app

1. Seize the Gray, Jaime Torres 8-1

2. Resilience, Junior Alvarado 10-1

3. Mystik Dan, Brian J. Hernandez Jr. 5-1

4. The Wine Steward, Manuel Franoc 15-1

5. Antiquarian, John R. Velazquez 12-1

6. Dornoch, Luis Saez 15-1

7. Protective, Tyler Gaffalione 20-1

8. Honor Marie, Florent Geroux 12-1

9. Sierra Leone, Flavien Pratt 9-5

10. Mindframe, Irad Ortiz Jr. 7-2

Odds via BelmontStakes.com.

Mystik Dan and Seize the Grey are the most recognizable names in the race after winning the first two legs of the Triple Cronw. Neither is the favorite, though.

That distinction belongs to Sierra Leone. The runner-up finisher at Chuchill Downs is in position to exact some revenge and earn his moment in the sun.

Jockey Flavien Prat will also be looking to breakthrough at the Belmont. His best finish at this race was second aboard Hot Rod Charlie in 2021. The stewards of Santa Anita actually suspended Prat for interference in the Hollywood Gold Cup, but he applied for a stay that is going to allow him to participate at the Belmont.

A victory at Saratoga would give him a career Triple Crown. He guided Country House to a Kentucky Derby win in 2019 and won the 2021 Preakness aboard Rombauer.

Prat was aboard Catching Freedom at the Derby while Tyler Gaffalione drew the start with Sierra Leone. Prat could be the difference between finishing a nose behind and winning this time around.

Mindframe starts just outside of the favorite and is expected to do well. The lighlty-raced colt has a good trainer-jockey combo in Todd Pletcher and Irad Ortiz Jr. The pairing won the 2022 Belmont with Mo Donegal and they'll be looking to repeat in 2024.

He has looked dominant in the only two starts of his young career, but he'll be facing a massive step up in competition. Ortz Jr.'s experience and skills could be a factor for him being there to challenge Sierra Leone at the end.

Mystik Dan will still be a popular choice on race day. He showed a lot of heart outdueling Sierra Leone and Forever Young down the final stretch at Churchill Downs and he was just 2¼ lengths behind Seize the Grey at the Preakness.

It will also help that Brian Hernandez Jr. has been the jockey for seven of his eight career starts. There is familiarity between the jockey and the horse and he should be prepared to put together a strong trip.

Seize the Grey is a relative longshot at the Belmont, but he beat the odds at the Preakness with Jaime Torres drawing the mount. This will be Torres' debut but he is putting together a strong year. He won the Pat Day Mile with Seize the Grey in addition to the run for the Black-Eyed Susans.

Leading his assignment to another Triple Crown win would be another major achievement on the year.