It’s still the Belmont Stakes. It’s still the third and final jewel in the Triple Crown. But the setting. That’s what will make the 2024 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets so special and memorable.

For the first time ever, the Triple Crown will be merged with the magic of Saratoga Race Course with Saturday’s Belmont at the Spa. A field of 10 was entered in a shorter, 1 ¼-mile race that should be filled with a wealth of magical moments.

1. Seize the Grey (8-1 morning-line odds): Won the Preakness Stakes in front-running fashion on a muddy track. Has the rail and should put that speed to good use from there but faces a much tougher pace scenario than he did at Pimlico. Still, wouldn’t rule out a big effort with 88-year-old living legend D. Wayne Lukas at the helm.

JOCKEY: Jaime Torres; TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas

2. Resilience (10-1): Won the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino but then finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. Has already lost twice to morning-line favorite Sierra Leone and would need to take a big step forward to pull out a victory.

JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Bill Mott

3. Mystik Dan (5-1): The Kentucky Derby winner was a game second in the Preakness. Has ability and consistency on his side and should be a major player. Would not be a surprise if he makes it two out of three Triple Crown wins.

JOCKEY: Brian Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek

4. The Wine Steward (15-1): Was second in the Peter Pan Stakes, the main New York prep for this race. Has three wins and three seconds in six career starts but tired in the stretch of his first try at 1 1/8 miles and may not want the additional furlong.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Mike Maker

5. Antiquarian (12-1): Interesting longshot after a promising victory in the Peter Pan Stakes. Is trained by four-time Belmont Stakes winner Todd Pletcher and should like the distance. Only poor effort came in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby when he broke through the starting gate before the start. That’s a legitimate excuse.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

6. Dornoch (15-1): Looked like a top Triple Crown candidate when the full-brother (same dam [mother] and sire [father]) to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage won the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes. But since then he was fourth in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and then 10^th in the Kentucky Derby. Faces a tough task here.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Danny Gargan

7. Protective (20-1): He’s a maiden but he was third in the Peter Pan and Wood Memorial. Not your typical maiden but it’s asking a lot to register an initial win here.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

Honor Marie is an appealing longshot (Coady Photography)

8. Honor Marie (12-1): Was hammered at the start of the Kentucky Derby and lost all chance. Was 20^th after three-quarters of a mile and rallied for eighth. Was a fast-closing second in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby and a repeat of that effort can make him a factor here.

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Whit Beckman

9. Sierra Leone (9-5): Was second by a nose to Mystik Dan in the Kentucky Derby while lugging in. Gets five weeks of rest to prepare for this race and a new bit to help control his antics in the stretch. He is two nose losses shy of being undefeated and looks like the one to beat here.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Chad Brown

10. Mindframe (7-2): He’s the X factor. He’s long on talent but short on experience. Has won his two starts by a combined 21 ¼ lengths, but they came in a maiden and allowance races. Makes his stakes debut here and would be a bona-fide superstar if he can beat a field with this much depth and quality in just his third start.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

THE PICK: Sierra Leone

LIVE LONGSHOT: Honor Marie

SUPERFECTA: 9-3-10-8