Cavonnier a 3-1 Favorite in Field of 15

In a mild surprise, Cavonnier was listed as the 3-1 favorite Thursday when a record-tying field of 15 horses was entered for Saturday’s 128th running of the Belmont Stakes.

Despite Cavonnier’s price on the morning line, the Nick Zito-trained entry of Louis Quatorze, the Preakness winner, and Saratoga Dandy may be favored by race time. The Zito duo was quoted Thursday at 9-2, the second choice.

Cavonnier won the Santa Anita Derby and was beaten by four inches by Grindstone in the Kentucky Derby, but then he was fourth, 8 3/4 lengths behind Louis Quatorze, in the Preakness.

Trainer Bob Baffert said that the tough race in the Derby knocked out Cavonnier for the Preakness, and based on the way he has been training at Belmont Park, he expects him to run back to his Derby form Saturday.

“I’d just as soon not be favored,” Baffert said. In the last 11 Belmonts, only three favorites--Risen Star, A.P. Indy and Thunder Gulch--have won.

Only one previous Belmont has attracted 15 horses, when Caveat won as the favorite in 1983. The retirement of Grindstone and the injuries and illnesses of Unbridled’s Song, who might have been this year’s best 3-year-old if he had stayed healthy, are some of the reasons behind the rush to the entry box.

For betting purposes, Rocket Flash, Traffic Circle and Secreto De Estado will be an entry. All of the horses will carry 126 pounds except the filly My Flag, who with her sex allowance will carry 121.

Only two fillies have won the Belmont, and none since Tanya in 1905. The purse Saturday is $734,800, with $440,880 going to the winner.

Possible showers are forecast for tonight, and there is a chance of thunderstorms Saturday, with temperatures in the 80s. The Belmont has been run on an off track three times in the last six years.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Belmont Stakes

Field for Saturday’s 128th Belmont Stakes:

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PP Horse Jockey Odds 1. a-Saratoga Dandy Davis 9-2 2. Natural Selection Romero 20-1 3. South Salem Krone 30-1 4. f-Rocket Flash Castillo 20-1 5. Jamies First Punch Velazquez 10-1 6. Prince Of Thieves Bailey 8-1 7. Editor’s Note Douglas 8-1 8. Appealing Skier Migliore 15-1 9. My Flag Smith 6-1 10. f-Traffic Circle Chavez 20-1 11. In Contention Bravo 30-1 12. a-Louis Quatorze Day 9-2 13. Skip Away Santos 6-1 14. Cavonnier McCarron 3-1 15. f-Secreto de Estado Velasquez 20-1

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a-entry

f-mutuel field

Weights: My Flag 121 pounds, others 126 pounds. Distance: 1 1/2 miles. Purse: $734,800 if 15 start. First place: $440,880. Post time: 2:30 p.m. PDT.

TV: Channel 7.