In the 26 years since Affirmed became the 11th Triple Crown winner, nine horses have raced in the Belmont Stakes seeking to join him. As with Affirmed, they won the Kentucky Derby, then the Preakness Stakes. But all nine - Spectacular Bid, Pleasant Colony, Alysheba, Sunday Silence, Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Charismatic, War Emblem, and Funny Cide - failed in the Belmont.

"People will tell you about the great races between Citation and Noor out in California in the early 1950's, and the race between Ridan and Jaipur in the Travers at Saratoga in 1962. Great races. But Affirmed and Alydar in the Belmont? Probably the best horse race that's ever been run. I'll look at it again and again anytime I'm fortunate enough to get the chance. I'll raise a glass to 'em while I'm watchin' the replays and, damn, I'll root - come on Affirmed, come on Alydar. Come on Cauthen, come on Velasquez. Whatever it is that these two horses have can't be bought or manufactured.

ELMONT, N.Y. - With lights from police cars flashing at the fore and aft of the caravan, Smarty Jones arrived at Belmont Park at high noon on Wednesday, and on Saturday afternoon he will have an old-fashioned shootout against eight rivals in the 136th Belmont Stakes.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones drew the far outside post position number nine and will face a field of eight rivals when he bids to become Thoroughbred racing's first Triple Crown winner since 1978 in Saturday's 136th running of the Belmont Stakes. Smarty Jones is listed as the 2-5 favorite in the morning-line odds, and will again be ridden by regular rider Stewart Elliott in the 1 1/2-mile, $1 million race.

BENSALEM, Pa. - Jockey Patrick Valenzuela on Tuesday morning in Los Angeles Superior Court was denied a stay of a suspension issued by the California Horse Racing Board, preventing him from riding Rock Hard Ten in Saturday's 136th Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park.

There is no other race like it. Nothing. The Belmont Stakes is the only major stakes race in the United States at 1 1/2 miles on dirt, and its uniqueness increases exponentially when the Triple Crown is on the line.

Any bettor who believes that Smarty Jones is unstoppable would probably love to lock in 2-5 on the two-time classic winner for Saturday's Belmont Stakes.

Good luck.

Jockey Patrick Valenzuela on Tuesday morning in Los Angeles Superior Court was denied a stay of a suspension issued by the California Horse Racing Board, meaning he will not be able to ride Rock Hard Ten in Saturday's Belmont Stakes.

His attorney, Don Calabria, said: "The board fought it real hard."

Calabria said he was "shocked" by the judge's decision.

"I only asked for a delay until June 7," he said. "I'm totally shocked. But those things happen in law."

ELMONT, N.Y. - A police escort involving officers from three states is expected to lead Smarty Jones the 115 miles from Philadelphia Park to Belmont Park on Wednesday. A similar escort may be needed leaving town for the horse who would deny Smarty Jones the Triple Crown in Saturday's 136th Belmont Stakes.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Eddington, the third-place finisher in the Preakness, completed preparations for Saturday's 136th Belmont Stakes by working a sharp five furlongs in 59.10 seconds Sunday morning at Belmont Park.