Close your eyes, think of the most memorable editions of the Belmont Stakes of the past 50 or so years, and what do you see? Perhaps Secretariat moving like a machine. Affirmed and Alydar battling with nothing but a head separating them for a mile.

For McCarthy, the 54-year-old former assistant to Todd Pletcher, the Preakness was his second career Triple Crown triumph. He sent Rombauer to the winner’s circle in the 2021 Preakness. Rombauer then cashed a show ticket in the Belmont Stakes.

The decision of Sovereignty’s trainer, Bill Mott, not to run the Derby winner in the Preakness ended the potential for a 2025 Triple Crown. But, with a win, either horse could at least secure two of horse racing’s most coveted jewels.