**Chad Brown Eyes Coveted Belmont Stakes Victory with Hill Road**

Chad Brown is on a mission to clinch his first Belmont Stakes victory at Saratoga this Saturday, driven by a deep-rooted passion for racing that blossomed during his childhood in Mechanicville, New York. While Brown is a decorated trainer with five Eclipse Awards to his name, he faces a formidable challenge as his contender, Hill Road, goes up against top competitors, including the Kentucky Derby top three finishers.

Hill Road, owned by Amo Racing USA, will be up against stiff competition including Kentucky Derby runners Sovereignty, Preakness winner Journalism, and the hyped Baeza. Brown, who has already celebrated two Preakness victories and numerous wins at the Breeders' Cup, finds the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes frustratingly elusive. Last year, his favored horse Sierra Leone faltered after a stumble but managed to finish third, leaving Brown still yearning for that elusive Belmont win.

Despite an impressive win in the Grade 3, 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan Stakes, Hill Road is listed at 10-1 on the morning line. Much of the optimism surrounding Hill Road stems from the reputations of Brown and seasoned jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., rather than the horse’s track record. Acquired after two initial starts in Ireland and a third-place finish at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile under trainer Adrian Murray, Hill Road has had to acclimate to a new environment and training regimen under Brown's supervision.

In his first start for Brown, Hill Road placed third in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and followed up with a run in the Wood Memorial (G2), New York's last major Kentucky Derby prep race. Hill Road's tendency to take time finding his stride might prove to be a hurdle in the final leg of the Triple Crown, given the race's potential lack of initial pace. Additionally, the horse's difficulty in switching leads, an issue noted during the Peter Pan Stakes, remains an ongoing concern.

On a more optimistic note, Brown has observed significant progress in Hill Road’s performance during morning trainings, hoping these improvements will manifest in Saturday's race. Brown is also set to demonstrate his training prowess with Spirit of St Louis in the Manhattan (G1), pursuing a notable victory at age 6 after career-defining wins in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and Turf Classic.

Moreover, Brown’s strong stable will be represented in other key events, including the Bed o' Roses (G2) with Ways and Means, the Pennine Ridge (G3) with Zulu Kingdom, and the Ogden Phipps (G1) with Raging Sea and last year’s winner, Randomized. As Sierra Leone aims for the June 28 Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs, Brown remains focused on seizing every opportunity to secure a long-sought Belmont Stakes triumph.