If anyone knows off the top of their head....

[justindew]

...or if anyone can research this since I am too lazy and don't know where to find the info...

....is there any historical "requirement" to have a prior Grade I win in the Belmont Stakes? I know Birdstone was the only runner besides Smarty Jones in 2004 to have a GI win. And Lemon Drop Kid was I think only one of two besides Charismatic in 1999. Both paid big.

Jazil didn't have one. Neither did Sarava or Commendable. But I'm not sure if anyone other than War Emblem had a GI win in any of those years. I guess Bob and John did if the Wood was a GI then. Wasn't it a Grade II for a while?

Anyway, if anyone has the info I would be curious to see it. Looks like it will just be BB and Tale of Ekati this year.