Belmont Stakes 2021: Rebel's Romance to miss race due to infection

ELMONT, N.Y. – Rebel’s Romance, the UAE Derby winner, was not entered in Saturday’s $1.5 million Belmont Stakes after developing a hind leg infection, trainer Charlie Appleby confirmed Tuesday morning.

The defection of Rebel’s Romance left a field of eight for the Belmont Stakes, entries for which were to be drawn at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Appleby said that Rebel’s Romance has been treated for the infection by veterinarians at Belmont Park.

“He’s responding but not responding quick enough to get to the Belmont,” Appleby said.

Rebel’s Romance, an Irish-bred gelding by Dubawi, had won 4 of 5 starts, including the UAE Derby on March 27 by 5 1/2 lengths. He was one of four horses Appleby shipped to the United States on May 2 in advance of races to be run on Saturday’s card.

Rebel’s Romance had worked three times in eight days, including a six-furlong move in 1:14.30 on May 25.

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“This is the game. Like any athlete, you never what’s going to happen,” Appleby said from England. “His preparation was going well, we were excited to have our first runner in the Belmont. I thought he had a good” chance.

Rebel’s Romance was to be ridden by Mike Smith.

Rebel’s Romance is owned by Godolphin Racing, which also owns Essential Quality, who is expected to go off the favorite in Saturday’s Belmont.

Essential Quality, fourth in the Kentucky Derby, arrived at Belmont Park just before 5 a.m. Tuesday following van ride from Kentucky.

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“Godolphin still has the favorite, he’s going to take all the beating, but it would have been nice to have been a part of it,” Appleby said.

Appleby still has three horses to run on Saturday’s card, including Althiqa and Summer Romance, who were to be entered Tuesday for Saturday’s Grade 1 Just a Game, and Desert Peace, who was scheduled to be entered in an allowance race on the same card.

Appleby said a decision on whether Rebel’s Romance will remain in the United States or return to Newmarket would be made after the weekend.