The horse racing world descends on Nassau County Saturday for the 145th running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes.
A Triple Crown might not be up for grabs, but there’s a hometown guy who could possibly win this internationally acclaimed race.
Nassau County resident Mike Repole, a lifelong racing enthusiast who attended St. John’s University, will have three horses at the starting gate Saturday afternoon.
Repole, an entrepreneur who made millions when he and partners sold Vitaminwater to Coca-Cola in 2007, will run Overanalyze, filly Unlimited Budget, who finished third in the Kentucky Oaks after winning her first four starts, and Midnight Taboo, into what is expected to be a crowded 15-horse field.
Repole, who has Pirate’s Booty, Energy Kitchen and BodyArmor SuperDrink in his business stable, just missed out on his first Belmont crown when Stay Thirsty finished second by three-quarters of a length in 2011.
Including Repole’s three horses, Pletcher has five entries from his barn, setting a record for most runners in a single year. Queens native Nick Zito saddled three in 2005.
Pletcher won the Belmont in 2007 when Rags to Riches became the first filly to win the “Test of Champions” since Tanya in 1905. Unlimited Budget, the daughter of Street Sense, could give Pletcher is second Belmont Stakes win.
Rosie Napravnik will be aboard Unlimited Budget. No female has ever ridden a filly to a Belmont Stakes win. Julie Krone is the only other female jockey to win aboard Colonial Affair in 1993.
“I think this is one year where I think the fillies are as good as the boys,” Repole said. “She ran a good race when she was third in the Kentucky Oaks, and two fillies out of that race, Midnight Lucky and Close Hatches, came back to run 1-2 in the Acorn. Unlimited Budget is a large filly, and when the 15 horses come out, you’ll think she’s one of the colts. She also has a good mind for a mile and a half here she’ll settle.”
Pletcher will also have Revolutionary, who finished third in the Derby, and Palace Malice in the mile-and-a-half race.
Trained by Shug McGaughey and ridden by Joel Rosario, Kentucky Derby winner Orb, who breezed four furlongs Sunday, will highlight the field, which could tie a record set in 1983.
“Some jockeys don’t ride here on a regular basis and they might not be as familiar with what’s going on,” McGaughey said. “When they turn down that backstretch, they’ve got a long way to go. A lot of them, I think, will move a little early. As long as I’ve been up here, I understand my surroundings and I understand Belmont Park and I think Rosario is going to be the same way.”
Trainer Ken McPeek announced Monday that Frac Daddy, who has one career win in seven stars and finished 16th in the Derby, will be entered.
He will join Preakness winner Oxbow, who arrived Monday night, Will Take Charge, Vyjack, Incognito, Freedom Child, Always in a Tiz, Golden Seal and Giant Finish.
