90% of the horses that ever run in the Belmont are not ready for 1 1/2 miles. 95% of them never see that distance again. As far as training them for the distance, this year is no different from previous years. Running a horse in the Derby and Preakness in the previous 6 weeks does not train a horse up to a 12 furlong race, just the opposite.
Yup, when Bob Baffert had what appeared to be a strong stable a few weeks ago, he said openly he doubted he would take his horses to New York if the Belmont was held in June at 1 1/2 miles. A couple of former trainers who are friends use the term “babies” for three-year-olds. It is the inexperience more than anything.