2006 Triple Crown Picks & Betting Tips; Horse Racing Triple Crown

Belmont Stakes Field Draws 12 Entries

2006-06-07T18:36:00.000-07:00

Kentucky Derby runner-up, Bluegrass Cat, was made the favorite for Saturday’s $1 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park, which drew a field of 12 3-year-olds.

Without Derby winner Barbaro and Preakness (gr. I) winner Bernardini in the race, New York Racing Association oddsmaker Eric Donovan went with trainer Todd Pletcher’s colt as the 3-1 morning-line choice Wednesday for the final leg of the Triple Crown.

Pletcher has another Belmont entry, the second favorite Sunriver. Winner of the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park on May 20, Sunriver was at 4-1 odds to win. Steppenwolfer, the third-place Derby finisher, was 9-2.

Bluegrass Cat, who finished 6 1/2 lengths behind Barbaro in the Derby, will leave from the No. 9 post in the 1 1/2-mile race. The colt will be ridden by John Velazquez, who returned last week after being sidelined since April 20 with a cracked shoulder blade and bruised ribs. Sunriver, with Rafael Bejarano aboard, drew the No. 2 post.

2006 Belmont Stakes Race Entries, Post Position, Jockeys, and Odds >>

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2006 Belmont Stakes, Belmont Odds , Belmont Picks, Belmont Tips , Belmont Results, Belmont Winners

Belmont Stakes 2006 Triple Crown, June 10

2006-05-29T18:34:00.000-07:00

It's the 138th running of the Belmont Stakes on June 10, 2006 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, one of the oldest thoroughbred races in North America.

Belmont is the third and final leg of the prestigious Triple Crown Race for top 3-year-old thoroughbreds in America. After the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, and the Preakness at Pimlico, horse racing handicappers, bettors, and fans focus on Belmont.

Get complete Belmont Stakes horse racing picks & betting tips, odds to win the Belmont and the Triple Crown, news on top contenders, jockeys, and trainers. Plus FREE handicapping tips our from racing experts, best horse betting options and hot promos from top online race books on the Internet.

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Road to the Roses Features $1 Million Saturday

2006-03-15T00:51:00.000-08:00

By GREG MELIKOV

Saturday’s racing spotlight will be on four different tracks where a dozen of the Top 25 3-year-olds will attempt to make their case to stay on the Road to the Roses.

All four graded stakes, worth at least a total of $1 million, are 1 1/16 miles. The most interesting race appears to be the $200,000 Gotham Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Aqueduct’s inner track.

That’s because the three main contenders all captured their last stakes rather convincingly:

Achilles of Troy cruised to a 4 length victory over One Way Flight in the Whirlaway at 1 1/16 miles at Aqueduct on Feb. 11. They meet again in the Gotham.

Keyed Entry defeated First Samurai by 1 lengths in the Hutcheson at 7 furlongs at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 4. First Samurai’s next race is the Blue Grass on April 15.

Sweetnorthernsaint romped in the Miracle Wood by 10 lengths in the Miracle Wood at a mile at Laurel on Feb. 4.

Lawyer Ron Gains Fourth Win at Southwest Stakes

2006-02-26T21:49:00.000-08:00

Lawyer Ron is slowly stamping his place at the Kentucky Derby with his fourth straight win, leading gate-to-wire for a three-quarter length victory over Steppenwolfer in Saturday's $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

The 3-year-old colt, ridden by John McKee, now has a record of five career straight wins on dirt and is 0-for-7 on the grass.

The Bob Holtus trained colt' s owner, James Hines Jr., died Tuesday in an apparent swimming pool accident. Lawyer Ron covered the mile in 1:40 and held off a late charge from Steppenwolfer. Red Raymond, also trained by Holthus, was third.

Lawyer Ron opened the year with a victory in the Risen Star at Louisiana Downs, and will be pointed next to the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn on March 18, followed by the Arkansas Derby on April 15 -- the same route Smarty Jones took before winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2004.

Sent off as the 1-2 favorite in the 10-horse field, Lawyer Ron paid $3, $2.40 and $2.20. Steppenwolfer, ridden by Corey Lanerie, returned $4.20 and $3.60, and Red Raymond paid $7 to show. Holthus won last year's Southwest with Greater Good.

Slated next for Lawyer Ron is the Rebel Stakes. The Rebel is 1 1-16 miles, and the Arkansas Derby stretches out to 1 1-8 miles. The Kentucky Derby on May 6 is 1 1/4 miles.

Music School was fourth, followed by Mark of Success, Sharp Attack, Kingsfield, Celluloid Hero, Travelin Leroy and Agrapha.

The Southwest was postponed Monday because of icy conditions. Hines, Lawyer Ron's owner and breeder from Owensboro, Ky., died Tuesday. His funeral was Friday. The $150,000 winner's purse goes into a trust overseen by Ron Bamberger, a lawyer for whom the horse is named.

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Bluegrass Cat Triumphs at Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay

2006-02-26T21:47:00.000-08:00

Bluegrass Cat kicked off his 3-year-old campaign with a victory, taking the $125,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday and confirming his status as a leading Kentucky Derby contender.

Todd Pletcher-trained Bluegrass Cat won his fourth straight race since a career-opening loss in June. "He was a fresh horse and ran exactly the way we wanted him to," Pletcher said.

The colt owned by WinStar Farm was racing for the first time since winning the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct on Nov. 26.

Bluegrass Cat held off 63-1 long shot Deputy Glitters by 1 1/4 lengths, and covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.17, Ridden by John Velazquez, the 7-10 favorite paid $3.40, $3 and $2.60.

"I was in a comfortable position," Velazquez said. "He rated perfectly. He has done everything we have asked him to do so far."

Deputy Glitters returned $26.40 and $11.20. R Loyal Man was third and paid $4. Little Cliff was fourth, followed by Seaside Retreat, Hesanoldsalt, Laptop Computer, Pegasusbystorm, Blazing Rate and Sweet Grass Creek. Little Cliff and Hesanoldsalt are trained by two-time Derby winner Nick Zito.

Bluegrass Cat’s next start could be in the Tampa Bay Derby on March 18.

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2005-10-28T20:18:00.000-07:00

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2005-10-26T00:43:00.000-07:00

The 2005 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships is slated on October 29, Saturday, at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. With Breeders' Cup horse betting, expect more profit-making action, what with eight races on the championship day card: Breeders' Cup Classic, Distaff, Filly & Mare Turf, Juvenile, Juvenile Fillies, Mile, Sprint, Turf.

Have your fill of free Breeders' Cup Classic betting tips to help in handicapping for Classic racing picks like 2005 Belmont Stakes and Preakness Stakes back-to-back champion Afleet Alex, Bellamy Road, Borrego, Commentator, Flower Alley, Lava Man, Perfect Drift, Rock Hard Ten, Roman Ruler, Saint Liam, and Surf Cat.

The Breeders' Cup Classic (Grade 1) is no doubt the most important race in the Breeders' Cup thoroughbred racing championships. It is the kingmaker, considered to crown the best of the best, having produced nine Horses of the Year in its first 20 runnings.

Of the $14 million total purse for the eight Breeders' Cup races, the Classic accounts for $4 million, with a winner's share of more than $2 million.

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Saint Liam is Favorite to Win Breeders Cup Classic

2005-09-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

Odds to win 2005 Breeders' Cup Classic

From Bodog Online Racebook
at Belmont Park, New York on Oct 29, 2005

Saint Liam, fresh from his six furlongs in 1:16 3/5 victory at the Woodward Stakes, is the favorite spot to win based on odds from Bodog Racebook. 2nd choice is Preakness and Belmont Stakes champ Afleet Alex, and rounding up the top 3 is 2005 Travers victor Flower Alley followed by 2005 Haskell winner and 3rd in Travers Roman Ruler. Woodward runner-up Commentator completes the top 4 favorites to win the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Odds* to win 2005 Breeders' Cup Classic

   • Afleet Alex  8/1
  • Andromeda's Hero 25/1
  • Badge of Silver  25/1
  • Bago   20/1
  • Borrego   15/1
  • Choctaw Nation  20/1
  • Congrats  35/1
  • Declan's Moon  35/1
  • Don't Get Mad  25/1
  • Dynever   30/1
  • Flower Alley  10/1
  • Funny Cide  30/1
  • Imperialism  20/1
  • Lava Man  15/1
  • Limehouse  20/1
  • Love of Money  35/1
  • Park Avenue Ball 25/1
  • Perfect Drift  15/1
  • Rock Hard Ten  10/1
  • Roman Ruler  15/1
  • Saint Liam  3/1
  • Scrappy T  35/1
  • Suave   15/1
  • Sun King  20/1
  • Surf Cat  35/1
  • The Cliff's Edge 30/1
  • Field (Any Other Horse)  10/1

* Odds subject to change - visit Bodog Racebook for latest odds to win Breeders Cup Classic 2005

Also visit Breeders Cup 2005 home page for latest odds, picks, schedule and even tickets!

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Saint Liam, Commentator Renew Rivalry in Woodward

2005-09-08T18:46:00.000-07:00

By GREG MELIKOV, HorsesWild contributor

The one-two finishers in the Whitney Handicap renew their rivalry Saturday in the $500,000 Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park.

Saint Liam breezed six furlongs in 1:16 3/5 last Saturday at Aqueduct and made Richard Dutrow Jr. a happy trainer. "He worked great. I'm very confident. He's doing super."

The historic Grade 1 event is shaping up as a grudge match between Saint Liam and Commentator, wire-to-wire winner of the Whitney at Saratoga.

Dutrow blamed himself for the neck loss. "I should have entered a 'rabbit.' " He decided to run two, Crafty Player and Show Boot, in the 1 1/8-mile contest because "I don't want Commentator getting loose again."

There are only four betting interests because trainer Nick Zito also has a coupled entry, Commentator and Sir Shackleton. The other horse is longshot Todd Pletcher's Shaniko with John Velazquez aboard.

Saint Liam, who won the Donn and Stephen Foster handicaps earlier in 2005, gets a new jockey. Jerry Bailey replaces Edgar Prado, who was on the 5-year-old son of Saint Ballado in his last nine starts, including eight consecutive victories.

"The owner (Mr. and Mrs. William Warren Jr.) wanted to make a change for the race," Dutrow explained.

When the gate opened for the Whitney, Gary Stevens sent the 4-year-old son of Distorted Humor straight to the front and he got loose on the lead down the backstretch with Saint Liam 5 ½ lengths behind after six furlongs run in 1:09 3/5.

At the top of the stretch, Prado asked Saint Liam for his rally and the favorite closed the gap strongly through the lane to get within 1 ½ lengths at the eighth pole.

"My horse caught another gear, and I thought I was going to catch him," the jockey said Aug. 6. "He kept trying, but couldn't get it done. We lost to a really fast horse."

Commentator ran the 1 1/8 miles, the same distance as the Woodward, in 1:48 1/5.

The Woodward is named for the man who chaired the Jockey Club, the breed registry for all thoroughbreds in North America, from 1930 to '50. William Woodward's famous Belair Stud colors were carried to victory 631 times from '23 to '53.

Belair Stable, part of Belair Stud, was one of the premier racing outfits. Woodward's outstanding horses included the father-son Triple Crown duo of Gallant Fox in '30 and 'Omaha in '35. He also owned Nashua, '55 Horse of the Year who only lost once.

Until it closed in '57, Belair Stable in Bowie, Md., was the oldest continually operated horse farm in the United States that dated back 250 years. It was later restored and is a museum open to the public.

Some great thoroughbreds such as Forego and Kelso captured the Woodward multiple times since the inaugural was staged at a mile in '54 won by Pet Bully. Forego won four straight beginning in '74 and set a new stakes record of 1:45 for 1 1/8 miles, which is the distance for the 52nd time. Kelso triumphed three consecutive times from '61 when it was 1 ¼ miles. In '67, Damascus defeated Buckpasser and Dr. Fager.

Back-to-back winners were Cigar, '95-96; Slew o' Gold, '83-84; and Sword Dancer, '83-84.

The Woodward was run at 1 ½ miles from '72 to '75. One of the biggest upsets occurred in '73 when Triple Crown winner Secretariat lost to a 16-1 shot named Prove Out.

In '80, Spectacular Bid's final appearance on the track was a rare walkover, the first since Calumet Farm's Coaltown won the '49 running of the Edward Burke Handicap at Havre de Grace, Maryland.

Get you free horse racing tips, picks, and odds at HorsesWild.

Woodward Stakes, Horse Racing, Belmont Park, Woodward 2005

Nick Zito Inducted to Hall of Fame

2005-08-08T18:35:00.000-07:00

Legendary trainer, Nick Zito, was finally inducted to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame on Monday. The ceremony was held at the Saratoga Springs, just across the racetrack where the Saratoga 2005 Racing Season is currently running.

A New York native, the 57-year-old Zito began his career in 1972 with a two-horse stable. He has gone on to become of the nation's top trainers, winning two Kentucky Derbies while also capturing the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

"It's an incredible honor," Zito said. "What can I say? It gives you goose bumps."

Zito has enjoyed a stellar career, saddling more than 1,420 winners with earnings of $71,119,670.

Along with Zito, jockey Tommy Walsh, trainer Sidney Watters Jr., and five-time champion Lonesome Glory were also bestowed the Hall of Famer accolade.

Walsh enjoyed a 12-year career than ended in 1967 at the age of 27. He totaled 253 victories, including five straight wins in the prestigious Grand National Steeplechase.

Watters, 88, led or shared the lead in steeplechase victories six times from 1948-71.

In 24 career starts, Lonesome Glory posted 24 victories from 1991-99. He is steeplechase's top money winner with earnings of $1.4 million. It marked the first time in the Hall of Fame's 50 years where there was only one thoroughbred racing inductee.

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Nick Zito, Horse Racing, Saratoga Springs, Saratoga 2005

Vote for Afleet Alex and Giacomo on ESPY Awards!

2005-07-07T23:17:00.000-07:00

Two equines are in the Award hunt, an ESPY award that is. 50-1 Kentucky Derby long shot and winner Giacomo was nominated for Best Upset, and Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Afleet Alex up for Best Moment.

A horse has yet to win an ESPY Award. Help make history and vote for Afleet Alex and Giacomo by going to the ESPY site.

The ESPY Awards gather top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances.

ESPY, Giacomo, Afleet Alex, Belmont Horseracing

Yahoo News: Three jockeys punished for Derby ads appeal sanctions

2005-06-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Three jockeys fined and suspended for wearing unapproved advertising on their clothing during the Kentucky Derby have appealed the penalties imposed by stewards at Churchill Downs.

Stewards suspended Jeremy Rose, Kent Desormeaux and Corey Nakatani from riding for seven days and fined the jockeys $5,000 each. The suspensions, announced Friday, were to begin Monday, but the penalties will be stayed until the appeal is heard by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, executive director Jim Gallagher said Monday.

Gallagher said no hearing date for the appeal has been set.

Rose, who rode Afleet Alex to a third-place finish, wore an ad for an online poker company during the Derby. Nakatani rode Wilko and Desormeaux rode Greeley's Galaxy in the May 7 race.

Jockeys sued in federal court and won the right before the 2004 Derby to wear advertising on their clothing. But under racing authority guidelines, any advertising must be approved by the horse's owner and track stewards.

Afleet Alex wins 2005 Belmont Stakes

2005-06-12T07:51:00.000-07:00

Above photo: Jockey Jeremy Rose rides Afleet Alex around the final turn into the home stretch and away from the pack on his way to winning the 137th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, June 11, 2005. Afleet Alex, who also won the Preakness Stakes, won the race going away. REUTERS/Chip East


Belmont Stakes Betting Results & Payouts

# Horse Win Place Show
9 Afleet Alex 4.30 3.60 3.00
7 Andromeda's Hero 8.20 5.80
1 Nolan's Cat   7.20

Wager Type Payoff   Winning Numbers Pool
$2 Pick 3 $314.50   9-2-9 (3 Correct)  $442,194
$2 Pick 4 $490.00   2-9-2-9 (4 Correct)  $1,846,220
$2 Pick 6 $204.00   7-6-2-9-2-9 (5 Correct)  N/A
$2 Pick 6 $19,758.00  7-6-2-9-2-9 (6 Correct)  $1,146,740
$2 Daily Double $88.00   2-9  $420,973
$2 Exacta $44.00   9-7  $9,583,612
$2 Superfecta $14,219.00  9-7-1-10  $4,834,612
$2 Trifecta $1,249.00  9-7-1  $12,353,752

Belmont Stakes Race Summary

AFLEET ALEX was taken in hand soon after the start, angled to the inside in the early stages, saved ground while under wraps entering the first turn, was unhurried along the backstretch while racing slightly off the rail, launched a rally while in good position leaving the far turn, split rivals while rapidly gaining on the turn, swung five wide for clear sailing nearing the quarter pole, charged to the front at the top of the stretch, quickly opened a commanding lead under right hand urging in upper stretch, extended his lead while being kept to the task inside the furlong marker then drew off with the rider glancing back while well in control through the final sixteenth.

ANDROMEDA'S HERO was strung out four wide entering the first turn, raced well back for six furlongs, moved up between horses on the far turn, made a move four wide outside the winner on the turn, angled out while moving into contention at the top of the stretch, but was no match for the winner while holding willingly for the place.

NOLAN'S CAT trailed for a half after breaking a bit slowly, raced far back to the far turn, circled six wide while closing the gap approaching the quarter pole then rallied belatedly in the middle of the track.

INDY STORM raced in the middle of the pack along the backstretch, closed the gap a bit while five wide midway on the turn then lacked a strong closing bid.

A. P. ARROW moved up rapidly in the early stages, pressed the pace in the two path for six furlongs, remained a factor while just behind the leader to the turn and steadily tired thereafter.

CHEKHOV was strung out five wide just behind the leaders on the clubhouse turn, stalked the pace while continuing five wide along the backstretch, dropped back leaving the far turn and failed to threaten thereafter.

GIACOMO tucked in along the rail in the early stages, was unhurried for a half, began to angle out midway down the backstretch, advanced four wide into the far turn, made a quick five wide move to join the leaders midway on the turn, surged to the front gaining a brief lead approaching the quarter pole, yielded the lead to the winner at the top of the stretch and steadily tired thereafter.

SOUTHERN AFRICA moved up between horses in hand, stalked three wide for a mile, rallied between horses to challenge briefly midway on the turn, remained a factor into upper stretch then gave way.

WATCHMON between rivals early, moved up inside GIACOMO at the five-eighths pole, raced in midpack to the turn then lacked a further response.

REVERBERATE broke in the air then stumbled at the start, steadied along the rail on the first turn and was never close thereafter.

PINPOINT outsprinted rivals for the early advantage, set the pace under pressure for nearly a mile and a quarter then faltered.

HorsesWild handicappers were solid behind Afleet Alex, Webmaster delivered the Belmont Stakes $44 Exacta, Iceman delivered the $1,250 Belmont Stakes Trifecta - $200 investment yielded $1,050 in profit! Great job with the free horse racing tips guys!

Belmont Stakes, Horse Racing, Belmont Park

2005 Belmont Stakes Picks Inside - Full Belmont Park Card

2005-06-11T07:02:00.000-07:00

BELMONT PARK TIPS for SAT (6/11)
2005 BELMONT STAKES 137

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BELMONT PARK - BELMONT STAKES 137

race 1: 2,3,1,4
race 2: 8,1A,6,2
race 3: 7,4,2,5
race 4: 4,1,3,7
race 5: 5,2,8,3

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race 6: 11,9,2,5 $200K True North Handicap

race 7: 2,3,5,7 $300K Just a Game Breeders’ Cup Hdcp

race 8: 2,6,4,5 $200K Riva Ridge Breeders’ Cup

race 9: 5,3,9,8 $250K Brooklyn Handicap

race 10: 1,11,7,6 $400K Manhattan Handicap

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race 11: 9,5,7,8 137th Belmont Stakes $1,000,000
9 - Afleet Alex
5 - Giacomo
7 - Andormeda's Hero
8 - Reverberate
Longshots: 4 - Southern Africa, 6 - Watchmon

race 12: 9,1,5,6

race 13: 10,1A,6,11

More Belmont Stakes Picks & Betting Tips on HorsesWild's Live Handicapping Forum.

Belmont Stakes picks by HorsesWild webmaster

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Winner of Belmont Stakes, Triple Crown's 3rd Jewel

2005-06-10T21:43:00.000-07:00

HorsesWild's webmaster has allowed us to post his picks for the Belmont Stakes. While it's a no brainer to pick the favorite, he has some nuggets of wisdom for horse bettors looking for profit or value.

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The Belmont Stakes is the marathon of the Triple Crown. One and a half miles test of endurance and speed comes to a head on Saturday. Here's my take. Final picks and betting tips will be posted on the Live Handicapping Forum.

AFLEET ALEX

AFLEET ALEX is the class of this batch. Jockey JEREMY ROSE has enough high pressure experience to guide AFLEET ALEX to a BELMONT STAKES win; that means holding the horse on steady course - whatever the pace is. There is just nothing not to like about Afleet Alex right now. Like i said in the Preakness. The Belmont Stakes could be the race that he stretches out.

FREE BELMONT STAKES BET @ All Horse Racing

GIACOMO

Derby winner GIACOMO will be in the final stretch. Mike Smith will make sure he won't be stuck in traffic like in the Preakness, he will not contest the pace but also not to give too much lead away, he will stay close - especially with Afleet Alex.

BELMONT STAKES FIELD

Belmont Stakes picks by HorsesWild webmaster

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Afleet Alex Heavily Favored to Take Belmont

2005-06-08T18:28:00.000-07:00

By GREG MELIKOV, HorsesWild Contributing Writer

Afleet Alex was installed as the 6-5 morning line favorite to turn back 10 challengers and capture the 137^th Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

The Preakness champion, ridden by Jeremy Rose, breaks from post position 9, outside Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo, trained by John Shirreffs. Mike Smith guides the early 4-1 second choice that drew post 5 on Wednesday.

Andromeda's Hero, one of three entrants trained by Nick Zito, is the only other horse that ran in the first two legs of the Triple Crown. The 15-1 shot, eighth in the Kentucky Derby, drew post 7 and jockey Rafael Bejarano returns.

Rose began riding at Belmont after the post position draw to familiarize himself with the track "because it's so much bigger" than other ovals, conditioner Tim Ritchey told Brisnet.com.

Rose was on Wild Humor, a 25-1 shot that ran third after dueling most of the six furlongs in the seventh race and returned $6.30 for show.

"On a mile track, when you switch leads going into the turn, you want to put your horse in the race a little bit," Ritchey said. "Well, here (1 ½ mils) you want to switch leads, but you want to relax for a little while longer until at least halfway around the turn, if not the quarter pole.

"The more he rides over this track, even if it's only going three-quarters of a mile, the more he's aware of how big and sweeping these turns are and how far it is from the point of that turn to the wire will help him immensely."

In last year's Belmont, Stewart Elliott was criticized for his ride aboard Smarty Jones. He didn't have a mount at the track during the week of the big race and had only one other ride on the Belmont Stakes Day card before his horse ran second to Birdstone, trained by Zito.

Rose last October was aboard Afleet Alex when he was second to Proud Accolade in the Champagne Stakes, but many other jockeys have ridden more often at Belmont.

Three other colts also have raced at Belmont, including Reverberate, 6-1, who drew post 8. The son of Thunder Gulch ran three times.

He broke his maiden last September in a sprint with Javier Castellano in the irons, won an allowance race in early May with Shawn Bridgmohan up and later finished second to Oratory in the Peter Pan guided by Jose Santos, who stays aboard. The trainer is Sol Russo.

The Peter Pan has produced at least one Belmont champion in each decade from '44 when Bounding Home scored to '99 when Lemon Drop Kid, another Zito-trained horse, prevailed.

Gary Stevens stays on Chekhov,

who ran fourth in the Peter. The 12-1 shot, trained by Patrick Biancone, breaks from post 11.

Others in the field with their post positions, odds, trainers and jockeys are:

1) Nolan's Cat, 15-1, trained by Dale Romans, ridden by Norberto Arroyo Jr.

2) Pinpoint, 20-1, Zito, John Velazquez

3) A. P. Arrow, 20-1, D. Wayne Lukas, Jerry Bailey

4) Southern Africa, 12-1, Mike Puhich, Jon Court

6) Watchmon, 50-1, Patrick Reynolds, Castellano

10) Indy Storm, 20-1, Zito, Edgar Prado

For complete 2005 Belmont Stakes contenders profile, plus extensive coverage of the Triple Crown, check out Horses Wild's Belmont Page. For horse racing tips, picks, and odds check out our Belmont Stakes Odds, Belmont Stakes Betting, and Belmont Stakes Picks.

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Belmont, Belmont Stakes, Belmont 2005

Afleet Alex Runing for Belmont Win and To Raise Funds for Cancer Foundation

2005-06-07T20:25:00.000-07:00

When Afleet Alex runs at the 137th Belmont Stakes on Saturday, he's not only doing so to win the last Triple Crown jewel. He's also doing it for a good cause.

The Preakness winner and top Belmont favorite is racing for more than just his second straight Triple Crown race victory, he's also running to raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. The charity that started with one simple front-yard stand run by Alexandra Scott, a little girl from Wynnewood, Pa., who raised money for cancer research one glass of lemonade at a time.

Scott was 8 when she died last August after fighting an aggressive form of childhood cancer almost since birth. Her story made national news and her legacy lives on thanks to Chuck Zacney (Afleet's co-owner) and his horse, who have teamed with the Scotts to bring a greater awareness -- and increased donations -- to the lemonade stand.

Although one of them is no longer surviving, the two Alexes' lives are somewhat parallel. The horse had to be hand fed with a beer bottle of milk shortly after birth, and overcame a lung infection.

Alex, the girl, was diagnosed shortly before her first birthday with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer, was left paralyzed from the chest down after her first surgery. When doctors said Alex would never walk again, Jay Scott said his daughter worked to sit up without assistance and eventually walked without the aid of braces.

Afleet's near downfall during the Preakness reminded Liz Scotts of how her daughter Alex would stumble as she learned to walk, but always catching herself and staying determined to keep going.

Zacney has donated more than $100,000 to the foundation, and the Afleet Alex connection has brought an estimated $100,000 in donations. All the horse's merchandising material bears a lemon logo representing the charity.

Come Belmont race day, Saturday, about 30 racetracks are hosting lemonade stands.

"(Alex's story) has touched lots and lots of lives, and it's something America seems to have gotten behind,'' Afleet's trainer Tim Ritchey said. "I know the racing industry has.''

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Belmont, Belmont Stakes, Belmont 2005

2005 Belmont: Will it Be Two in a Row for Zito?

2005-06-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

When Nick Zito arrived at the Belmont stakes last year, he was ready to concede. Of course, as we know by now, the race ended in his favor when Birdstone came flying past Smarty Jones in the final strides and spoiled Smarty's Triple Crown try by a length.

This time Zito is not conceding for the $1 million race that easy. With three horses possible to start for the 2005 Belmont Stakes, he's hoping to end another Triple Crown season with a surprised victory.

His 3 Belmont entries are Andromeda's Hero (Derby 8th placer), Sir Barton winner, Pinpoint, and Indy Storm.

The Fusaichi Pegasus colt, Andromeda's Hero, is the one trying to follow Birdstone's footsteps. He finished eighth in the Derby, last year, Birdstone also finished eighth in the same race. As with Birdstone, he skipped the Preakness to point for the Belmont, and is doing his serious work at Saratoga, where Zito keeps his top runners at this time of year.

Zito agrees that the match-up between heavy favored Preakness champ Afleet Alex and Derby winner Giacomo deserve to be in the limelight. But he knows, too, that the grueling 1 1/2 -mile Belmont -- the "Test of the Champion'' -- can take its toll.

"Afleet Alex has a great reputation, and Giacomo is a Derby winner,'' he said, "but they can get beat because of that mile-and-a-half.''

His two other horses, Pinpoint and Indy Storm, are both Triple Crown newcomers. "Right now, they don't have the qualifications of Afleet Alex and Giacomo, but this race may get them there,'' Zito said.

The newly elected Hall of Famer would be the first trainer since Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons in 1936 to saddle three Belmont starters, according to New York Racing Association officials. Fitzsimmons won that year with Granville.

The 137th running of Belmont Stakes, the last jewel of the Triple Crown, is expected to have a field of 11 contenders for the June 11 race.Post positions for the Belmont, the third leg of the Triple Crown, will be drawn at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

For complete 2005 Belmont Stakes contenders profile check out Horses Wild's Belmont Page. For horse racing tips, picks, and odds check out our coverage at Belmont Stakes Odds, Belmont Stakes Betting, and Belmont Stakes Picks.

Belmont, Belmont Stakes, Belmont 2005

2005 Belmont Stakes Contenders

2005-06-05T20:22:00.000-07:00

The 137th Belmont Stakes loses Preakness runner-up Scrappy T, but trainer Nick Zito enters Indy Storm, an allowance winner on Preakness Day at Pimlico, making his total entries to three for the $1 million last Triple Crown race.

Eleven horses are expected to start in the Belmont field. Post positions for the Belmont, the third leg of the Triple Crown, will be drawn at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Garden Terrace dining room on the fourth floor at Belmont Park.

Robert Bailes, the trainer for Scrappy T, said the decision to skip the Belmont ultimately came down to his concerns about the 1 1/2 miles of the Belmont.

"I wasn't 100 percent confident [with] him going that distance and what it was going to take out of him," Bailes said. "Better safe than sorry."

Zito will have three contenders: Andromeda's Hero, Pinpoint, and Indy Storm.

Preakness winner and heavy Belmont favorite Afleet Alex arrived at Belmont Park late Saturday afternoon after vanning up from Pimlico. Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo is expected to arrive at Belmont Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Here are the 11 Belmont contenders' list:

AP Arrow
Afleet Alex
Andromeda's Hero
Checov
Giacomo
Indy Storm
Nolan's Cat
Pinpoint
Reverberate
Southern Africa
Watchmon

For complete 2005 Belmont Stakes contenders profile check out Horses Wild's Belmont Page. For horse racing tips, picks, and odds check out our coverage at Belmont Stakes Odds, Belmont Stakes Betting, and Belmont Stakes Picks.

Belmont, Belmont Stakes, Belmont 2005

Belmont, Calder, Churchill Downs for SUN (6/5) Free Picks & Tips

2005-06-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

Just 6 more sleeps and it's the 3rd leg of the Triple Crown - the 137th running of the Belmont Stakes. Stay tuned at HorsesWild for complete coverage of the 2005 Belmont Stakes, from contender news, betting tips, race and pace analysis - all for FREE!

BELMONT PARK - home of the Belmont Stakes

race 1: 4,1,7,2
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Nick Zito Inducted to Racing's Hall of Fame

2005-05-31T19:28:00.000-07:00

He may be having a terrible Triple Crown season, but that doesn't discount Nick Zito's contribution to the horse racing industry in America. On Tuesday Zito was inducted to the racing's Hall of Fame, along with three standouts of steeplechase racing - jockey Thomas Walsh, trainer Sidney Watters Jr. and five-time champion Lonesome Glory.

Zito, voted into the hall in his eighth year of eligibility, and his co-inductees will be honored on August 8 at Saratoga Springs. At 57, he has won the Kentucky Derby twice, the Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes plus 20 other Grade1 stakes.

He won the Derby with Strike the Gold in 1991 and Go for Gin in 1994, and also won the 1996 Preakness with Louis Quatorze. In 2004 Belmont Stakes his colt, Birdstone, won the last Triple Crown leg and played the spoiler's role in Smarty Jones' Triple Crown bid.

Zito's career began in 1972 and through May 30 of this year has recorded 1,410 wins, 83 of them in graded stakes, and earned $69.3 million in purse money.

"It's very gratifying,” Zito said. “But more important, I'm very humbled by it. I don't know what else to say. I absolutely really appreciate it. That's the main thing."

Zito has also trained champions Storm Song in 1996 and Bird Town in 2003.

Before waiting for his induction, the trainer is busy preparing for the 137^th Belmont Stakes on June 11. He has three possible entries for the last Triple Crown jewel, Derby starters Andromeda's Hero and Bellamy Road, and the Sir Barton winner Pinpoint.

Afleet Alex is the top 3-year-old to beat but Zito is gunning for a repeat of last year's Belmont. A Belmont win will mean finishing on a high note after his Triple Crown campaign has gone awry.

The 137^th running of the Belmont Stakes kick off on June 11 at the Belmont Park in New York, the climax of the 2005 Triple Crown season. For horse racing tips, picks, and odds check out our coverage at Belmont Stakes Odds, Belmont Stakes Betting, and Belmont Stakes Picks.

Belmont, Belmont Stakes, Belmont 2005

Oratory Wins Peter Pan, Not Going to Belmont Stakes

2005-05-28T18:39:00.000-07:00

Webmaster of HorsesWild.com picked #8 ORATORY with Jerry Bailey onboard to win the 2005 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park - and indeed, ORATORY is the winner! Not only that but ORATORY's final time of 1:46.35 for nine furlongs was a stakes record, eclipsing Slew o' Gold's time of 1:46.80 in 1983. The HorsesWild Webmaster also delivered the $77 exacta together so did two of HorsesWild's top independent horse racing handicappers. These are free selections available to the public.

The Peter Pan has produced many a Belmont Stakes winner, but ORATORY is reportedly pointed to the Travers Stakes. Other Triple Crown nominated horses Reverberate and Chekhov will most likely run for the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 11.

2005 PETER PAN STAKES

Race Results, Payouts

8 Oratory   12.80  5.80  4.20

7 Reverberate   8.80 5.10

5 Golden Man    4.90

$2 Exacta $77.00

$2 Trifecta $396.00

Peter Pan Stakes Race Summary

ORATORY broke running, flashed good speed from the outside while well in hand, let REVERBERATE set the pace for the opening three quarters, took charge when asked off the turn, drew clear and widened while being shown the whip from the right side in the stretch.

REVERBERATE came away in good order, moved up on the rail to set the pace, could not stay with the winner turning for home, angled out in upper stretch and continued on to be easily best of the others.

GOLDEN MAN raced close up inside, chased the pace around the turn and had no response when roused.

CHEKHOV was bumped after the start, was urged along outside, put in a four wide run on the turn and had nothing left for the stretch drive.

ROBADOR bobbled at the start, was outrun early, raced inside, split rivals on the turn and lacked a rally.

SIR GREELEY broke slowly, was pinched back after the start, chased the pace while three wide and tired in the stretch.

GORBASH was hustled along outside, raced and was finished early.

HorsesWild provides free horse racing picks and betting tips on daily races and specifically on stakes events such as the coming Belmont Stakes 2005, with updates on Odds, Betting, the race personalities and handicapping strategies for reading the pace.

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Horse Racing, HorseRacing, Belmont Stakes, Belmont Stakes 2005, horse racing tips, Horse racing picks, Belmont Odds, Belmont Picks,

Alexes Big Winners All at 2005 Preakness

2005-05-26T22:42:00.000-07:00

Afleet Alex isn't the only big winner at the recently concluded 130^th Preakness Stakes. Another Alex was able to cash in big from the event, and all for a good cause.

Alex's Lemonade Stand, a Pennsylvania-based charity for Pediatric Cancer Research was able to raise $18,000 in charitable donations on Saturday's race, plus a client of winning trainer Tim Ritchey donated another $10,000 to the cause.

The charity was founded by Alexandra ``Alex'' Scott, an 8-year-old f who, two days before her first birthday, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer.

She opened her first lemonade stand in July 2000 with the idea of donating the proceeds to finding a cure. She died on August 1, 2004, but before her death set a donations goal of $5 million for this year.

That goal is closer with the Preakness donations. The charity was also able to collect almost $11,000 at the 131^st Kentucky Derby event.

Afleet Alex won the race, and the handlers of the 3-year-old colt donated a percentage of the horse's winnings to the charity. Also this week, Huckleberry Farm, a client of Ritchey, donated $10,000.

Alex's Lemonade will also have a stand during the 137^th Belmont Stakes race when it happens in New York on June 11. The race will mark the culmination of the 2005 Triple Crown season, and for the 27^th straight year no horse will be given this most coveted honor in American thoroughbred racing.

Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Afleet Alex

2005 Hambletonian at Meadowlands Harness Racetrack

2005-05-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

Sports - Horse Racing - The Road to the 2005 Hambletonian -
Tuesday, May 24

(EARLY LINE, HORSE, TRAINER, OWNER, SCOOP)

9-5, KEN WARKENTIN, Jimmy Takter, C Takter, Fielding, Domi, Windsor Stb., Divisional champ at two. 'He trained last Wednesday at the Meadowlands in 2:00 with a good last quarter,' said Takter. 'I will qualify him this Friday at the Meadowlands. He's coming along well, right on schedule.'

3-1, SOUTHFORK, Brett Pelling, Marvin Katz & Al Libfeld, 'Last year I thought he was the only one in the fall who could give Ken Warkentin a serious go of it,' said Ron Pierce. 'Then he hurt his shoulder. I expect big things from him.'

4-1, SELF PROFESSED, Don Swick, Royal Wire Products Inc., Q'd twice, last in 1:57 on May 20 at Meadowlands. 'He goes in the NJSS opening round on May 30,' said Swick. 'Our goal is to get four or five starts in him before the Hambletonian.'

5-1, DIESEL DON, Chuck Sylvester, Chuck Sylvester, Neal Goldman, Having Fun Stb, The Valley Victory winner is 'a couple of weeks away from qualifying,' according to John Campbell. Won 5 of 8 at 2.

6-1, NEW YORK YANK, Noel Daley, Adam Victor & Son Stb, 'He qualified easy here last week [finishing 4th, timed in 2:00 on May 20],' said Adam Victor. 'We're looking to get him in a 3yo open.' Won Peter Haughton at 2.

8-1, STRONG YANKEE, Trond Smedshammer, Strong Yankee Stable, 'He trained at the Meadowlands on Friday in 2:01,' said Smedshammer. 'I plan to qualify him on Friday. He's not the handiest horse out there.'

10-1, LINDY FIVE HUNDRED, Ray Schnittker, Jones for Pres "

Note: Race is Saturday, August 6.

The Road to the Hambletonian is compiled by Bob Heyden.

Belmont Stakes in 3 Weeks: The Spotlight's on Afleet Alex

2005-05-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

Afleet Alex is a full-fledged star after his dramatic win at the 2005 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday. He may not be running for the Triple Crown when he starts at Belmont Stakes in 3 weeks time, but this colt has become thoroughbred racing's latest darling.

Tim Ritchey-trained Afleet nearly fell at the top of the stretch when Scrappy T suddenly veered into his path, but the colt incredibly regained his balance and pulled away for an easy victory.

The incident only caused Afleet a scrapped ankle, but watching the race again and again one couldn't help think it could have ended in disaster.

"We were real close to hitting the ground hard,'' Afleet's jockey Jeremy Rose said. "I knew we clipped heels hard. I knew we were right at the edge of where you hit the ground. It's a lot more dramatic when you see it in slow motion how close his head actually got.''

And just how close? Ritchey guessed Afleet Alex's nose was about 4 inches from the ground. But Afleet must be thinking: This is not how it ends, because as quickly as he nearly tumbled he recovered his composure and went on to win the Triple Crown's second jewel by 4 3/4 lengths.

Now he's on his way to the Belmont Stakes as the top 3-year-old in the world.

His presence in Belmont is enough to boost the excitement, despite the fact that it will be another Triple Crown-less year for the 27th straight horseracing season.

"This Alex is so incredibly bright for American horse racing,'' trainer Nick Zito said. "And having him make part of history is what this game's about.''

Rose now sets his sight on two-thirds of the Triple Crown with a win at Belmont on June 11. "I have all the confidence in him,'' Rose said of his winning horse. "I think he can beat any horse he runs against.''

At this point, nearly everyone else think so.

Belmont Stakes' 137th running will be on June 11 at the Blemont Park in New York. For Belmont racing tips, picks, and odds check out the following pages: Belmont Stakes Odds, Belmont Stakes Betting, and Belmont Stakes Picks.

Preakness, Preakness Stakes, Preakness 2005

It's Triple Crown-less Year Yet Again!; Afleet Alex Wins Preakness

2005-05-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

For the 27th straight year, there will be no Triple Crown winner for America's thoroughbred racing.

As many had hoped Afleet Alex redeemed his third place finish in the Kentucky Derby to run away as victor of the 130th Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico. It was a sweet victory for Tim Ritchey's colt who nearly collided with runner-up Scrappy T but gaining composure to be the first Preakness winner to break from Post 12 since Pleasant Colony in 1981.

Afleet won by 4 3/4 lengths and covered 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.04. He paid $8.60, $5.00 and $3.20. Scrappy T, who didn't run in the first leg of the Triple Crown, returned $11.20 and $5.80.

Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo finished a distant third and paid $4.80 with Mike Smith in the saddle.

Trainer John Shirreffs keeps his head high. "I don't think there was any embarrassment in running third in the Preakness," he said. "We were pleased with the effort. He wins the Derby and comes back to run third in the Preakness; I think that says a lot about Giacomo."

Giacomo's loss marked the first time since 2001 that the Derby winner failed to win the Preakness.

Meanwhile Nick Zito's failed yeat again to fly high. Sun King only finished 4rth, Noble Causeway 6th, and High Fly 10th. Derby runner-up and third favorite to win, Closing Argument, settled for 9th place.

The complete order of finish for the 130th Preakness:
1- Afleet Alex
2- Scrappy T
3- Giacomo
4- Sun King
5- High Limit
6- Noble Causeway
7- Greeley's Galaxy
8- Malibu Moonshine
9- Closing Argument
10-High Fly
11-Hal's Image
12-Wilko
13-Galloping Grocer
14-Going Wild.

The last leg of the Triple Crown happens in three weeks (June 11) in New York for the 137th Belmont Stakes 2005. For Belmont racing tips, picks, and odds check out the following pages: Belmont Stakes Odds, Belmont Stakes Betting, and Belmont Stakes Picks.

Preakness, Preakness Stakes, Preakness 2005

It's Full Field for 2005 Preakness; Afleet Alex Still Horse to Beat

2005-05-18T20:02:00.000-07:00

Tim Ritchey-trained Afleet Alex (photographed) is still the favorite to win at the 130th Preakness Stakes, which will finally commence at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday, May 21. Preakness is the second leg, and should we say the determining race, on the quest for the Triple Crown.

Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo was only picked fourth favorite, outshadowed by Nick Zito's High Fly and Derby runner-up Closing Argument who are 2nd and 3rd choice to win respectively. But trainer John Shireffs remain unfazed by all these.

"It's always kind of a comforting feeling when there's not a lot of pressure," Shirreffs said. Giacomo drew the ominous No.13 post for Saturday. In the history of the race only six horses have started in the Preakness from posts Nos. 13 and 14 and none have won. But judging by recent history, the last 3 Kentucky Derby winners went on to win the Preakness as well.

Nine horses who ran in the 20-horse Derby field were entered for Saturday's race including Sun King, Noble Causeway, Wilko, Greeley's Galaxy, and Going Wild. The entry of Going Wild to the field meant excluding supplementary horse Golden Man because his lifetime earnings of $59,100 is lowest among the projected starters.

Newcomers to the 2005 Triple Crown race are Hal's Image, Malibu Moonshine, Scrappy T,and Galloping Grocer.

The field in post position order for the 130th running of the $1 million, mile and three-sixteenths Preakness Stakes race, with jockeys and morning line odds:

1 – MALIBU MOONSHINE, Steve Hamilton, 20-1
2 – HIGH FLY, Jerry Bailey, 9-2
3 – NOBLE CAUSEWAY, Gary Stevens, 10-1
4 – GREELEY’S GALAXY, David Flores, 15-1
5 – SCRAPPY T, Ramon Dominguez, 20-1
6 – HAL’S IMAGE, Jose Santos, 50-1
7 – CLOSING ARGUMENT, Cornelio Velasquez, 5-1
8– GALLOPING GROCER, Joe Bravo, 30-1
9 – WILKO, Corey Nakatani, 10-1
10 – SUN KING, Rafael Bejarano, 15-1
11 – HIGH LIMIT, Edgar Prado, 12-1
12 – AFLEET ALEX, Jeremy Rose, 5-2
13 – GIACOMO, Mike Smith, 6-1
14– GOING WILD, Robby Albarado, 30-1

For Preakness racing picks, tips, and odds check out Horses Wild, Preakness Betting Odds, Preakness Betting site, and 2005 Preakness Picks.

Preakness, Preakness Stakes, Preakness 2005

Nick Zito Sends Triple Threat to Preakness

2005-05-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

Looks like Nick Zito is sticking with his new axiom that there is strength in numbers. On Tuesday the trainer announced he has decided to send not one, not two, but all three of his horses: High Fly, Sun King, and Noble Causeway to the 130th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday, May 21.

With this new development, it's almost certain the race will be run with the maximum 14 horses. This hasn't happen since 1992. The field will be determined Wednesday when D. Wayne Lukas finally decide if he will enter Going Wild to the race or not.

If going Wild runs, supplementary horse Golden Man will be excluded from the race because his lifetime earnings of $59,100 is lowest among the projected starters.

Also on wednesday, Giacomo will arrive in Baltimore. Expect the media coverage to pick up, too. The last few days very few reporters gathered at the track's barn because its only guest residents were Afleet Alex and Scrappy T.

Other contenders will also arrive the next couple of days to begin final preparation for Saturday's race. Only 3 more days to before the second jewel of the Triple crown. For more racing tips, picks, and analysis, go to our 2005 Preakness Stakes coverage.

Preakness, Preakness Stakes, Preakness 2005

Preakness Stakes 2005: Who's Afraid of Giacomo?

2005-05-16T19:19:00.000-07:00

Preakness Stakes countdown: Only 4 days to go

Afleet Alex and trainer Tim Ritchey are not taking chances. They've been at Pimlico since Sunday preparing for the Preakness Stakes on Saturday. Ritchey is confident training right at the scene of race gives Afleet an advantage over the other starters who will only begin arriving in Baltimore on Wednesday.

This somehow gives Afleet the edge as the horse to beat, not Derby winner Giacomo. Ritchey's horse is undoubtedly still favorite to win and the extra effort certainly increases his odds for Saturday's race. While many are still unshaken by John Shirreff's horse's surprise win at Churchill Downs and discounting his chances to win the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

But Shirreff contends Giacomo is looking good and pronounced him ready for the Preakness. "It looks like he came out of the Kentucky Derby pretty good,'' Shirreffs said. "He was tired for a couple of days, but he got his energy level up after that.''

Meanwhile, more than 14 horses were entered for the Preakness. This means a full field is expected, this hasn't happen in a long while now. Derby horses with high probability of ending up in the final lineup include Closing Argument, Wilko, Nick Zito's trio High Fly, Sun King, and Noble Causeway, Going Wild, and Greeley's Galaxy.

For the complete list of probable contenders with tips, picks, analysis check out our coverage of the 2005 Preakness Stakes.

Preakness, Preakness Stakes, Preakness 2005

Galloping Grocer Added to Preakness Possible Starters

2005-05-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

A full field looms as Preakness nominations expand

After Golden Man, Gotham Stakes winner Galloping Grocer has been added to the list of possible starters at the 130th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. With these developments, it is expected that a full field of 14 horses will run for the May 21 race, as the trail to the Triple Crown continues.

For now there are 16 horses likely to start at the Old Hilltop. The top seven starters for the Preakness are determined by graded earnings, the next four by earnings minus restricted races with the final three spots determined by overall earnings.

For current standings of possible contenders, check out our coverage of the 2005 Preakness Stakes here.

Preakness, Preakness Stakes, Preakness 2005

Bellamy Road Now Eyeing Belmont Stakes

2005-05-11T23:17:00.000-07:00

It's a definite "no" at the 130th Preakness Stakes for Bellamy Road, but his team is not yet discounting a possible start at the last jewel of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes. However, it's still unclear if the colt's health will improve in time for the race on June 11th.

Edward Sexton, who manages owner Goerge Steinbrenner's Kinsman Farm in Florida, said that reports on Bellamy Road's injury was "blown out of proportion". The Derby 7th placer was discovered to have popped a splint after Saturday's race at Churchill Downs. A popped splint is a racing term for inflammation of the tissue covering a splint bone -- a small bone between the ankle and knee.

``The injury is not serious. It's just bad timing. We could run him in the Preakness and Belmont, but he'd never race again," Mr. Sexton explained in an interview. "This is not about greed. We have to stop. The horse comes first and you have to admire Mr. Steinbrenner for that. He took it like a man.''

But if Bellamy Road misses Belmont, he would be pointed to a prep race or two before the Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 27, then the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 1, and the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 29, both at Belmont Park.

Aside from Bellamy, Bandini was another top Derby horse injured in the race. The 19th finisher and Blue Grass Stakes winner sustained a chipped right ankle and will undergo surgery. He was shipped to Ashford Stud in Lexington, Ky., after the race.

---------------------------------------------

Updates from Pimlico for the 130th Preakness Stakes line-up:

Flowey Alley and First Word, apparently, has been taken off the list of possible contenders by their respective trainers, Todd Pletcher and Bob Frankel. But a $100,000 supplement horse from New York, Golden Man, might be coming in. This pushes the race's purse to $1.1 million.

Also, Afleet Alex and his team arrived in Belmont late Tuesday. The still favorite to win will begin preparations for the May 21 race as early as Thursday. Trainer Tim Ritchey will be looking for every edge for the Derby 3rd placer. "If he’s the favorite for the Preakness, hopefully he shows up like he has been and he won’t let the bettors down,” Ritchey said.

Giacomo, Closing Argument, Wilko, and Greeley's Galaxy are still on the probable list of returning Derby starters at the Preakness. (see complete 2005 Preakness update here)

Preakness, Preakness Stakes, Preakness 2005

The Smarty Jones Story: A Look Back

2005-05-11T01:46:00.000-07:00

Smarty Jones was the biggest horse racing story of 2004. For a time he was deemed unbeatable, his future almost certain-- only to be heartborken in the end.

After winning the $1 million Arkansas Derby he went to Churchill Downs and swiftly raced to victory at the 130th Kentucky Derby. Then again in Baltimore, a sweeping victory at the Preakness.

The John Servis-trained colt was the best bet for a Triple Crown. Smarty had the full spotlight especially with the last horse to capture the Triple Crown was in 1978, and after winning both the Derby and Preakness conquering Belmont Stakes seemed only logical.

But Nick Zito's bet Birdstone was a party pooper and outran Smarty to the finish line. You could almost imagine the movie version of this: Smarty Jones racing his heart out in slow motion, for a moment he was leading and heading for the win. But in a last ditch effort Birdstone surged pass him and claimed victory. A milli-second of chilling silence envelops Belmont Park as spectators open-mouthedly stare in disbelief at what just took place. Some crying, others thumping in bewilderment, while a selected few will start jumping for joy.

Well, it's not Seabiscuit but Smarty Jones' story will be one for the racing history books. He survived the murder of his very first trainer and a fractured skull at age two, later to emerge as an undisputed racing champion. And despite his heartbreaking loss in Belmont, Smarty still came out as the horse racing champion of the last year.

He came out the richest, too. Aside from his collected winnings from his graded stakes earnings, the Derby and Preakness, Oaklawn Park (celebrating its 100th year) gave him a $5 million bonus for winning the Rebel Stakes, Arkansas Derby, and Kentucky Derby--bringing his total earnings at $7.6 million. Not a bad ending to his story indeed.

Time flies, and it's another Triple Crown season. Giacomo pulled a surprise stunt at the Derby but is he unbeatable going to the 130th Preakness Stakes? He's no Smarty Jones, that's for sure. As for Smarty, he's now retired and enjoying the fruits of his labor. Billeted on a breeding farm in the rolling hills near Lexington, barely an hour's drive east from the Churchill Downs racetrack, spends his days lounging, lunching and, uhm, loving-- hoping to sire a future champion that is. Oh, and yes, a movie is in the works.

He still has adoring fans who visit him in his dig and ask for his photos. Smarty Jones, 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, Belmont Stakes runner up. Check out more info on his feats and past performances at the 2004 Triple Crown coverage on Horses Wild.

Double Opening Day for Arlington and Monmouth Race Parks

2005-05-11T00:31:00.000-07:00

On other racing events, while waiting for more Preakness updates, it's double opening day this weekend. On May 13 is the start of the Summer Meet at Arlington Park, Illinois. The four-month thoroughbred racing season will run until September 18th.

All of you would remember that earlier this year, Arlington was selected to organize the North and South American simulcast of the highly successful Dubai World Cup, which was won my Roses in May.

Meanwhile, on May 14th is the opening of the 60th season at Monmouth Park, in a position to build a strong foundation for the Breeders' Cup meeting in 2007.

The so-called "Resort of Racing" will offer 90 days of Thoroughbred sport this season, running through September 25. Daily purses will start at a record $325,000 for the 2005 meeting. A full slate of stakes races is set, with 14 graded events on tap, topped by two Grade 1 stakes -- the $1 million Haskell Invitational on August 7, and the $750,000 United Nations Stakes on July 2.

Becha the Triple Crown is not the only race burning tracks this year.

Another Heartbreak for Nick Zito

2005-05-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

Bellamy Road, Don't Get Mad will skip Preakness

Nick Zito's highest Kentucly Derby placer, Bellamy Road (who finished 7th) will not see action at the 2005 Preakness at Pimlico on May 21st. The colt was found to have developed a left front leg injury and will miss the rest of the Triple Crown.

Another heartbreak for Zito, and of course owner and New York Yankees boss George Steinbrenner. Since Adromeda's Hero was determined to be Belmont bound, High Fly, Sun King, and Noble Causeway are Zito's possible entries at the Preakness.

Meanwhile, trainer Ron Ellis has also ruled out Derby 4th placer Don't Get Mad's appearance at the Old Hilltop. In his place, owner B. Wayne Hughes will be sending 11th placer Greeley's Galaxy.

Other likely starters on May 21st are Giacomo, Closing Argument, Afleet Alex, and Wilko. Newcomers Malibu Moonshine (Tesio winner), Scarppy T (Withers), and Hal's Image (Unbridled) are also candidates.

Eight more horses are possible contenders including Zito's High Fly, Noble Causeway, and Sun King; D. Wayne Lukas' Going Wild and AP Arrow; Flower Alley, High Limit, and another newcomer First Word.

The Preakness is limited to 14 starters, though it is being predicted that only 10 to 12 horses will run this year. The last time it was a full field was in 1992.

Preakness, Preakness Stakes, Preakness 2005, Kentucky Derby 2005 Gallery

Superfecta Derby Winners: Tales of Lost and Found

2005-05-10T01:39:00.000-07:00

Considering Giacomo's highly surprising feat at the recently concluded Kentucky Derby, seven lucky bettors bought winning superfecta tickets for Saturday's race that paid a whopping $864,253 for $1, the highest payout in Derby history.

Two of the winners came from New Jersey and another one from Phoenix, Arizona.

The superfecta is a wager where a bettor has to pick the first four finishers in exact order. Which means, you have to guess who will win, who will place 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Pretty hard to win 'em all so this type of betting requires a lot of combination, which can be costly. Which is why the superfecta betting is not very popular and not all betting houses offer this.

Chris Hertzog, a firefighter from Phoenix bought this ticket, put it in his pocket and ate lunch. Then he lost his ticket. He and his lawyer were on their way to the Turf Paradise Race Course to battle for his winnings, when the woman who sold him the ticket called and said she found it beside her cash register. Lesson of the story: Don't be a pig. You should not lose sight of other important stuff when you see food.

Another lost and found story, well more of misplacement, was Brian Wien from New Jersey, who couldn't remember if his ticket flew out of his car window or not. (I know what you're thinking: What is wrong with these people?!) When he found out he won the Derby superfecta, he had to turn his car inside out to find the ticket.

Luckily it was safely tucked in the sunvisor of his car. He shares his winnings with longtime friend Tom Ritchey. The two invested $100 each to buy $1 superfectas at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford. Lesson of the story: If your friend is a slob, don't entrust him your betting tickets...or your life.

Meanwhile, Lisa Madden and father Mark also from New Jersey is a different story. The Maddens and Lisa's boyfriend Alex Corrado (who also bought into the ticket) drove about 15 minutes to Freehold Raceway, where they'd bought the six-horse superfecta box ticket for $360 earlier that day. They, with other relatives (who also bought into the ticket), watched the Derby run and went back to Freehold as soon finding out their ticket won!

Mark said they wanted to collect immediately before they lose the ticket. Lesson of the story: Make betting a family affair, that way all your relatives will keep an eye on the tickets. Because there will be hell to pay if you lose it. Kidding.

Four other winning superfectas were sold in Philadelphia Park and Suffolk Downs (one each), the other two came through clearinghouses in Maine and Nevada, according to Churchill Downs spokesman John Asher.

Kentucky Derby 2005 Gallery

Giacomo Headlines 2005 Preakness Stakes

2005-05-09T01:28:00.000-07:00

Giacomo, the surprise 131st Kentucky Derby winner heads for Baltimore to headline this year's 130th Preakness Stakes on May 21 at the Pimlico Race Course. Derby runner-up, Closing Argument, and 3rd placer Afleet Alex will also be back for the second leg of theTriple Crown trail.

As we reported yesterday other Derby contenders possibly running at Pimlico are: Don’t Get Mad (4th), Wilko 6th), Flower Alley (9th) and High Limit (20th). D. Wayne Lukas, who has saddled a record 30 Preakness starters, is expected to start either Going Wild (18th) or A.P. Arrow.

Nick Zito is ruling out Andromeda's Hero, but is said to be re-sending his power cast Bellamy Road, High Fly, Noble Causeway, and Sun King.

New contenders likely to show up in the lineup include Malibu Moonshine (Tesio Stakes winner), Scrappy T (Withers winner) and Hal’s Image(Unbridled Stakes winner). The last non-Derby starter to win the Preakness was Red Bullet in 2000.

The Preakness Stakes is limited to 14 starters, its outcome will determine whether there's a possibility for a Triple Crown winner or not, there hasn't been a winner since 1978.

On May 21st everyone will be watching Giacomo make history...or bust.

Preakness, Preakness Stakes, Preakness 2005

Preakness Will be Giacomo's Litmus Test

2005-05-08T18:12:00.000-07:00

It's clear that winning the 131st Kentucky Derby isn't enough to make Giacomo a star. Barely a day after he pulled one of the greatest upsets in the race's history, horse racing insiders are still doubtful of his prowess and chances in the 2nd and 3rd leg of the 2005 Triple Crown races.

Going Wild's trainer D. Wayne Lukas boldly made the prediction:``You can chisel this in stone: There will not be a Triple Crown winner,'' he said. ``We got too many good horses that will upset the apple cart. The Preakness will be just as unpredictable. With all respect to the horse, (Giacomo) is beatable. He was beatable all spring.'' Going Wild finished 18th on Saturday.

If Lukas was understandably upset, imagine Nick Zito's shock after none of his 5 horses made an impressive performance. His best finish was seventh by Bellamy Road, owned by New York Yankees big boss George Steinbrenner. Zito called this year's Derby "the most bizarre of all."

Giacomo had one victory in seven previous races before winning the Kentucky Derby. And no one forgave him for finishing poor 4th in the Santa Anita Derby. So could his Derby win be a classic case of good old luck?

Next stop is Pimlico for the Preakness Stakes. Tim Ritchey is confident that 3rd placer Afleet Alex can still soar, and runner-up Closing Argument is also most likely to challenge Giacomo and the rest of the lot again.

Other possible contenders for the Preakness are: Don't Get Mad (fourth in the Derby), Wilko (sixth) and Going Wild (18th), Trainer Todd Pletcher's duo of Flower Alley (ninth) and Coin Silver (12th).

Meanwhile, unlikely to see action in Baltimore are: Buzzards Bay (fifth), Greeley's Galaxy (11th), Greater Good (13th), Spanish Chestnut (16th), Sort It Out (17th) and Bandini (19th). Zito is uncertain which horse to send to Pimlico as of this writing.

Preakness Stakes is Grade I race at 1 mile and 3/16. Unlike the Derby with 20 starters, Preakness is limited to 14, but there has not been a full field since 1992.

The 130th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico will happen May 21st. For extensive info, tips, and picks check out our coverage at Horses Wild.

Preakness, Preakness Stakes, Preakness 2005

Giacomo defies the odds to win 131st Kentucky Derby

2005-05-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

By Reid Cherner, USA TODAY

LOUISVILLE - Giacomo, a 50-1 long shot, came down the center of the race track and broke away from the pack in the stretch to win Saturday's 131st Kentucky Derby, resulting in the second-greatest payoff in Derby history.

Giacomo, with jockey Mike Smith up, wins the 131st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Closing Argument, trailing, finished second."

Giacomo defies the odds to win 131st Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby Race Results, Morning Line Odds & Betting Payoffs

Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 21, 2005. Giacomo will probably land in the favorite spot if his owners decide to run him in Preakness - watch this space for Preakness odds, morning line, post position, news on horse connections (trainer, owners) - information you can use for your Preakness Stakes betting.

Kentucky Derby 2005 Gallery

Kentucky Derby Frenzy: Place Your Bets Now!

2005-05-06T01:24:00.000-07:00

There's less than 24 hours before the 2005 Kentucky Derby race at Churchill Downs, but it's not too late to place your bets on your favorite contenders.

If you're still undecided these sites will be of great help to you: Horses Wild, Horse Racing Tips, and the Sportsbetting Tips page offer their picks on who will take home the $2 million purse from Louisville this year.

Of course, by now and until tomorrow you can expect a long line at OTBs and clogging of network for phone-in bets. Your next best choice is betting online. But before touching that mouse here's some stuff you must know.

First, only go to secured and credible online betting sites. Some online wagering sites of good rep that you can go to are: Bodog Racebook, Pinnacle Racebook, BeteHorse, VIP Horses, and MVP Racebook.

Also, online betting sites don't accept credit cards, even the major ones like VISA or Master Card. But you can use online banking--also called e-Wallets--and open an account with Neteller, MoneyBookers and Firepay

Another way is depositing your money bet to USE Western Union. They accept up to $1,000 betting deposit for online horse wagering companies.

Okay, now you can touch that mouse and start taking your picks for this year's Run for the Roses. Good luck and bet wisely, my friends.

2005 Kentucky Derby Day: 1 Day to Go

2005-05-05T19:31:00.000-07:00

It's Kentucky Derby Day this weekend! Will Afleet Alex do a Smarty Jones repeat? Will this year's victor of the Run for the Roses finally end the Triple Crown drought? Well, well, we will have to see.

Tim Ritchey-trained Afleet Alex (photographed here) is this year's top graded stakes earner and is favorite to win by many, but Nick Zito has 5 horses running at Churchill Downs this year: High Fly, Bellamy Road, Sun King, Noble Causeway and Andromeda's Hero. Remember, it was Zito's horse Birdstone who pulled an upset over Smarty at the Belmont race last year. Much to the disappointment of wagers and long-time fans who were hoping for a Triple Crown champ.

The last couple of days Bellamy Road is being picked to win, giving New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner a reason to smile. Bellamy Road will start from post 16 under jockey Javier Castellano.

Another trainer with more that 1 horse running at this year's race is Todd Pletcher with 3 contenders: Bandini, Coin Silver, and Flower Alley. Meanwhile, Greeley's Galaxy and his owners decided it's worth the risk paying the $200,000 supplemental fee. His big win at the G2 Illinois Derby is proof enough that he can take on the Downs. We'll see if it pays.

Anyway, I'm not one to tell you where to put your money. If you want good advice though you can go to Horses Wild and check out their picks, this site has at least 10 handicappers so there's no way you can go wrong. Also a good place to check out, not only about horse racing tips but other sports as well is this Sports Betting blog maintained by a few guys who are more than serious about sports handicapping.

This blog will be here to monitor this year's Triple Crown races. Boy it's crazy out there. To the people of Louisville, Kentucky, enjoy the party ;)

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