Essential Quality is 2-1 morning line favorite for Belmont

Associated Press,
Gulfstream Park Florida Derby Horse Racing
In this image provided by Gulfstream Park, Tiz the Law, riddren by Manuel Franco, wins the Florida Derby horse race at Gulfstream Park, Saturday, March 28, 2020, in Hallandale Beach, Fla. (Derbe Glass/Coglianese Photos, Gulfstream Park via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Essential Quality has been set as a 2-1 favorite for the Belmont Stakes on Saturday. Essential Quality and Preakness winner Rombauer headline a field of eight horses running in the third jewel of the Triple Crown. Medina Spirit wasn’t eligible to enter the race after the New York Racing Association suspended trainer Bob Baffert pending an investigation into the horse’s failed drug test after winning the Kentucky Derby. Essential Quality went off as the Derby favorite and finished fourth. Jockey Flavien Prat left Rombauer following the Preakness victory to ride Hot Rod Charlie in the Belmont.

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