Are patriotism and horse racing the winning combination in the race dubbed “the test of the champion”?
We're set to discover, as we near the start time for Belmont Stakes, the final part of the Triple Crown less than a half-hour away at Belmont Park in Queens, NY. A few weeks ago, I wrote about how amusing it was during the second race of the Triple Crown, which was that of the Preakness Stakes, that a horse called “Early Voting” came up as the winner. (The first race of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, happens the first Saturday of May.)
This week, the favorite to win the race on Saturday, the longest of the three, is also the only one with a distinct name: We The People.
NY Post:
Rich Strike, who drew the No. 4 post and was listed with odds of 7-2 in the morning line but isn't the favorite to win betting, however. This honor belongs to No. 1, We The People, who was declared the favorite 2-1 following the post-draw. We The People, who Flavien Prat is jockeying for, has won three times in four starts. It is coming off a stunning triumph at the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes on May 14 at Belmont Park.
The name for the horse as you've probably guessed originates in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, one of our founding documents.
It says:
We, the people of the United States, in Order to create a more perfect Union, to establish Justice, ensure domestic tranquility and ensure the common defense as well as promote the general welfare and secure that we receive the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our descendants Do ordain and create this Constitution of the United States of America.
What do they expect to happen as race day approaches? The Constitution colt is the best bet according to the early line, as per NJ.com's most recent update over the last hour.
Rich Strike won't go off at odds that exceed 80-1, but even after getting past the Preakness to race in the final race of the Triple Crown, he's not thought to be the favorite in the eight-strong field. The distinction belongs to the morning line favorite 2-1, We the People, a newcomer to the Triple Crown trail who could lead the way in the race that is 1 1/2 miles long and be a winner when it rains on the streets of New York on Saturday.
“Newcomer” means We the People didn't race in either the Derby or the Preakness. There was a piece of interesting trivia in the New York Post's Wednesday article that none among the horses competing in the equine's most prestigious match-up had a chance to start in the three races. You could say everyone is playing on the same level with respect to this event.
Okay, now you're ready to sing along to Ol' Blue Eyes!
