The first two legs of the Triple Crown Series are behind us and we are on the verge of what could be a historical afternoon at the 2015 Belmont Stakes. After victories in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, American Pharoah will be entering the starting gate with a chance at racing immortality.

It appears that seven challengers and a mile and a half separate American Pharoah from the likes of Affirmed, Secretariat, and Sir Barton. But who has won the Triple Crown and who just missed? You can find that by reading Triple Crown Winners and Losers in Horse Racing History.

Will American Pharoah finish the marathon that is the Belmont Stakes and become racings 12th Triple Crown winner? One thing is for sure, horses like Frosted (fourth in the Kentucky Derby) and Materiality (sixth in the Kentucky Derby) will be in the starting gate looking to spoil the party.

Below is a simple breakdown of each horse that is slated to enter the starting gate this Saturday. What you will see is not a complete stat sheet for each horse since you can get that from Daily Racing Form or Equibase. Instead it is my evaluation summed up to help each of you make a decision when you walk to the window, the machine or click a mouse to make a wager on the 2015 Belmont Stakes. Let’s take a look at the 2015 Belmont Stakes Field, Contenders, Free Picks, Betting Strategy in hopes of ensuring a great day.

Race: Belmont Stakes (G1)

Location: Belmont

Distance: Mile and a half

Surface: Dirt

Purse: $1,500,000

Age: 3 Year Olds

Date: Saturday, June 6 2015

Post Time: 6:50 PM ET

TV Coverage: NBC 4:30 – 7:00 PM ET

PP M/L Horse Jockey Comments 1 10-1 Mubtaahij I. Ortiz Jr Traveled from across the pond after a dominant win in the UAE Derby. Has raced well since switching to dirt. His Derby finish was a not embarrassing 8th in that field but still did not show great things. Sniper skipped the Preakness and adds one of the best jockeys in NY in Ortiz Jr. However, even the trainer only hopes to "get closer" this time. 2 15-1 Tale of Verve Stevens When you win your maiden on your 6th try by 2 it is hard to see a factor here. I know he was a 2nd at the Preakness but that is relative given the weather and conditions besides it was a distant 2nd. It would be a shocker even with Stevens. 3 12-1 Madefromlucky Castellano Came up short twice to American Pharoah in the Rebel and Arkansas Derby. They passed on the Derby and instead pointed to the Peter Pan here at Belmont. There he won in resounding fashion. Here we go again. Who knocked off California Chrome in his Triple Crown bid? Tonalist, last year's Peter Pan winner. Castellano is a plus and he is fresh. Look out! 4 30-1 Frammento Smith Distant in the Fountain of Youth, the Blue Grass Stakes and a distant 11th in the Derby. Nothing more than a pace victim. Sorry it is the reality unless the gods shine down in some miraculous way. But… Zito also saddled Da'Tara who beat Big Brown at epic odds and Birdstone who took down Smarty Jones at the line to crush dreams at long odds. Just sayin... 5 3-5 American Pharoah Espinoza I feels like just yesterday when we were at the same point with Espinoza and California Chrome. But…American Pharoah has been a top my power rankings since January, I picked him in the Derby and again in the Preakness. He IS STILL THE ONE TO BEAT. But, even the best get tired. This will be his third start in 5 weeks and now it is a 1 1/2 miles. But Empire Maker loved the Belmont so why not the young buck. Is there enough gas left in the tank? 6 5-1 Frosted Rosario Ran the longest distance of all in the Derby finishing 4th making an insanely wide move around the final turn. Did not return and rested for the Belmont. It appears the minor surgery before the Wood seems to have done the trick with him since he has been solid in back-to-back. It will be all or nothing for Rosario but expect him to sit much closer this time out. Live for sure. 7 20-1 Keen Ice Desormeaux Curlin's son is 1-for-8 lifetime which makes you wonder if the closer wants more than a minor award each start. Was coming late in the Derby but traffic got in the way ending his finish 7th. But he will be running late and 1 1/2 miles should not be a concern. If he gets clear room you could find him rounding out a tri or super at a very nice price 8 6-1 Materiality Velazquez Won the Florida Derby and headed into the Kentucky Derby undefeated at 3-for-3. But that also means that the talented horse lacked experience. The inside post position proved problematic but he fought to a respectable 6th. Rested since and there will not be 20 horses this week.

2015 Belmont Stakes Field, Contenders, Free Picks, Betting Strategy