Florent Geroux has picked up the mount on the longshot Restoring Hope for the Belmont Stakes, trainer Bob Baffert said Thursday, meaning 11 of the 12 horses still under consideration for the race on June 9 have named riders. The only one missing a rider is the horse whose status is the most tenuous, that being Bandua.
So, nine days out from the Belmont, and five days prior to the draw for the race, here's what Daily Racing Form has compiled as the prospective field, including jockeys:
Horse Trainer Jockey Last race/finish
Bandua Dermot Weld undecided Cork alw, 1st
Blended Citizen Doug O’Neill Kyle Frey Peter Pan, 1st
Bravazo D. Wayne Lukas Luis Saez Preakness, 2nd
Free Drop Billy Dale Romans Robby Albarado Ky. Derby, 16th
Gronkowski Chad Brown Jose Ortiz Burradon, 1st
Hofburg Bill Mott Irad Ortiz Jr. Ky. Derby, 7th
Justify Bob Baffert Mike Smith Preakness, 1st
Noble Indy Todd Pletcher Javier Castellano Ky. Derby, 17th
Restoring Hope Bob Baffert Florent Geroux Pat Day Mile, 12th
Seahenge Aidan O’Brien Ryan Moore Pat Day Mile, 7th
Tenfold Steve Asmussen Ricardo Santana Jr. Preakness, 3rd
Vino Rosso Todd Pletcher John Velazquez Ky. Derby, 9th