Triple Crown 2022 Outlook

Suzanne Ashton

Triple Crown 2022 Outlook

Triple Crown is a horse race competition made up of three-year-old horses and consists of Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. These three races have drawn attention over the years since their inauguration in the early 90s. The top summer racing is around the corner, and some of the talented two-year-olds have made headlines. Contenders are busy putting the girth around their horses as bettors slip into reputable betting sites to place wager their money.

Who has qualified?

Over the few weeks, some two-year-olds have pointed to the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Triple Crown races have gained attention after earning qualifying points in Kentucky and New York stakes. In addition, some have won maiden and allowance races across the country.

Smile Happy

The two-year-old colt is owned by Lucky Seven Stable and trained by Kenneth. McPeek. Simile Happy is bred in Kentucky and is a pedigree of Runhappy. I’m confident that bettors were happy with Smile Happy after he won his second career race in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. Smile Happy beat other horses in a heated race to clinch the first position in 1:43:94 two days after thanksgiving. Smile Happy led all entries at the Kentucky Derby future wager pools with odds of 8-1.

After coming out of five and half-length wins on October 29 at Keeneland, Happy wowed many after sailing three-wide through the backstretch in Kentucky Jockey Club. Jockey Corey Lanerie kept him out of trouble while racing fourth before swinging four wide for an incredible rally. Classic Causeway, a contender who holds 35-1 odds at various sportsbooks, was quickly dispatched by Smile Happy and finished almost late. On the other hand, Smile Happy appeared to have plenty of energy left at the finish.

According to McPeek, Smile Happy may target a Derby prepared at Oaklawn Park in his next start. Funny Cide is one of his family members who won the 2003 Kentucky Derby. Horse racing is one of the sports that gambling fans love and Smile Happy is one of the worthy contenders people will be looking forward to watching. If you’re looking to get in on the action make sure to check out this Everygame sportsbook review.

Mo Donegal

Mo Donegal beat Zandon by a whisker to claim the Ramsen Stakes at Aqueduct. Mo Donegal and Zandon claimed ten Derby qualifying points. It is daunting to place bets on the Tripple Crown as things take unexpected twists with contenders falling and rising at each race. Predictions of the horse field and taking an earlier stand on potential winners backed by future wagers is usually an annual highlight of the Derby season. Mo Donegal is a two-year-old colt owned by Donegal Racing and trained by Todd A. Pletcher. The colt has won two races and has a rating of 6.34.

Zandon

The colt comes from the barns of the best trainers Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown. Zandon showcased a thrilling performance in December at the Aquedect stretch. Mo Donegal achieved an edge late during the race to beat Zandon. Fans can tell that Zandon ran a stronger race compared to Mo Donegal before being caught three-wide on the first turn. Mo Donegal saved ground on the rail to gain an advantage. However, the two colts portrayed an incredible performance despite the slow earlier fractions.

In addition, the two colts rallied from staking positions in the Remsen, settling at 1 1/8 miles which was the same distance as many late spring Derby preps.

Rocket Dawg

The classic empire colt demonstrated an incredible start on November 19 at Churchill Downs. Rocket Dawg put the effort in the seven-furlong race to sail up under Florent Geroux in the backstretch before taking second on the turn. The colt cruised to the top of the stretch beating other colts under minimal urge by his rider. Rocket Dawg won by five and a half lengths to earn 89 Equibase Speed Figure. The colt is from the crop of champion Classic Empire trained by Brad Cox and owned by Frank Fetcher and Ten Strike Racing. Classic Empire ranks fourth among sires whose debut contenders are competing this year. William Hill has offered the talented colt with 100-1 odds to feature at Oaklawn Park for his next start.

Trafalgar

The Lord Nelson colt finished a well-beaten second to classic Causeway in his start last summer at Saratoga. However, he played by two and quarter lengths on October 2 at Churchill. Trafalgar reduced his speed during the one-turn mile but pushed firmly to secure an added advantage. Lord Nelson colt raced 1 1/16 miles around two rounds on December 2 at Fair Grounds. He ran slightly behind the pacesetter, fur turn in the race before taking over the top stretch and separating. Naval aviator challenged him on the final strides, but Trafalgar gave his all to win by a head. His win was an impressive start for the two-year-old.

Naval Aviator

Some people argue that Naval Aviator is a long-term Derby contestant. Naval Aviator won on October 29 at the Keeneland with a 1 1/8 mile race. The colt has portrayed a similar comeback episode to miss against Trafalgar.

In addition, Naval Aviator has a stretching out pedigree as a son of the leading sire Tapit. Tapit has a record of siring four Belmont Stakes winners and has won seven stakes races on turf ranging from seven and a half furlongs to 1 1/8 miles. Brad Cox trains naval, and he has boosted his Equibase speed figure 11 points at Fair Grounds from 71 to 82. It is predicted that a similar jump in his next start should put Naval Aviator in his winning circle in the Derby competitions.

Rattle N Roll

The two-year-old colt is owned by Lucky Seven Stable and trained by Kenneth G McPeek. Kentucky bred Connect and Jazz Tune as its pedigree. The horse has a rating of 5.97 and a record of impressive performances. On September 10, Rattle N Roll made an incredible performance after beating Double Thunder and Classic Causeway in 1 1/16 m.

PappacapThe impressive two-year-old Colt is owned by Rustlewood Farm, Inc and trained by Marke E. Casse. The horse has a rating of 5.95. Bred in Florida and has Gun Runner and Pappascat as its pedigree. Pappacap siblings include Candy Ride, Quiet Giant, Scant Daddy, and Redmeansgo.

The most intriguing race is around the corner, and the above horses will fight for a position in 2022.