Belmont Park is where Triple Crown dreams are realized – 11 times since 1919. And it is where they have gone to die 11 times since 1978, with a 12th bid in 2012 negated by I’ll Have Another’s career-ending injury announced on the eve of the race.
You know it’s a slow day on the Belmont Stakes workout watch when the biggest news of the morning was either Social Inclusion’s bandage unraveling as he neared the completion of another routine 1 3/8-mile gallop or the absence of Wicked Strong, who merely walked the shed row Thursday.
NBC Sports and its parent network will show 16 hours of Belmont Stakes-related coverage beginning June 4 and through the race June 7, double the amount it had originally been planning, the network said Wednesday.
Peter Pan winner Tonalist was the strongest of all the Belmont Stakes candidates to take to the track at Belmont Park on Wednesday morning.
Steady as a metronome, California Chrome had his usual two-mile gallop Wednesday morning, mirroring the schedule he has had since days after his arrival from Pimlico as he readies for the June 7 Belmont Stakes.
Medal Count, second in the Blue Grass and eighth in the Kentucky Derby, will run in the Belmont Stakes, trainer Dale Romans confirmed Tuesday afternoon. Robby Albarado will ride.
We found out in the Preakness that California Chrome is tough, with multiple gears, first fighting off that early turn move by Social Inclusion and then holding firm against a serious stretch charge by Ride On Curlin. We shall find out on June 7 if California Chrome is legendary.
After driving through the night from Louisville, Ky., trainer Billy Gowan arrived in New York at around 2 a.m. Tuesday and, shortly thereafter, was reunited with his 3-year-old colt Ride On Curlin. Any fatigue Gowan may have had quickly dissipated after watching Ride On Curlin train over Belmont’s main track in preparation for the June 7 Belmont Stakes.
Based on his powerful victory in the Peter Pan Stakes on May 10, Tonalist is regarded as one of the major threats to California Chrome and his bid to become Thoroughbred racing’s first Triple Crown winner in 36 years in the June 7 Belmont Stakes.
Candy Boy, 13th in the Kentucky Derby on May 3, will skip the Belmont Stakes on June 7 in favor of the $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby on July 5, trainer John Sadler said Monday.
