so the Kentucky Derby was won by a first time dirt starter and the Preakness was won by a horse that looked like he has just been in a schvitz and was foaming at the mouth before getting in the gate. Add in the fact that this is a historically slow group of 3-year olds, and figuring out this year’s Belmont Stakes will be almost as difficult as figuring out whether the 10-year is a buy or sell at 2.95%. The NYRA promoters are billing the race as an “EPIC RUBBER MATCH between Derby winner ANIMAL KINGDOM and Preakness winner SHACKLEFORD.” That is good for selling grandstand tickets and ad space, but it wont help you. Ignore the noise, focus on the prize, go for the glory. Advice from Your resident Horseman: POST POSITION 1) NEHRO 6 Will be boxing in 2) MASTER OF HOUNDS 1 an exacta/trifecta 3) ANIMAL KINGDOM 9 >>> LONG SHOT – BRILLIANT SPEED 5 (GRADE 1 WINNER OVERCAME TROUBLED DERBY TRIP TO FINISH WITHIN SIGHT OF THE WINNER. SEEMS TO GET BETTER AS HE GOES LONGER) KEY FACTS & FIGURES * The Belmont Stakes winner is draped in a blanket of white carnations (also the official drink of the race until 1997, when it was changed to the Belmont Breeze) * This is the first time since 2005 (won by AFLEET ALEX) that both the Derby and Preakness winners (ANIMAL KINGDOM, SHACKLEFORD) will run in the third leg of the Triple Crown. It is the first time in Belmont Stakes’ history that the race will feature the top 7 finishers from the Kentucky Derby * Following a bad trip and shoeing problems in the Preakness, MUCHO MACHO MAN (10-1) gets a switch to 2010 Eclipse Award-winning jockey Ramon Dominguez * BlueGrass Stakes winner BRILLIANT SPEED (15-1) is the only horse in the field of 12 (outside of the Derby and Preakness winners) to have a Grade 1 victory to his credit * The Belmont Stakes is often called the “Test of Champions” due to the power and stamina required to conquer the grueling distance, sweeping turns and deep, sandy track. * In the previous 142 runnings of the Belmont Stakes, the favorite has won 60 times (42.3%). However, this has not happened since 2005 * Geldings (RULER ON ICE & MONZON) win about 2-3% of triple crown races, about the same percentage as fillies * No horses in the field of 12 have significant experience on off tracks * The weather forecast for race time is 70 F with a 60% chance of T-storms
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