This is Beyer Speed Figures 101, the remedial course. After I wrote a column two weeks ago entitled “Kentucky Derby Beyers are on the wane,” I noticed some of the comments. As I kept reading, one thing became very apparent: We here at Beyer Central needed to spend some time explaining the fundamentals of making figures because there were many misconceptions.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Nick Zito has sent out the last two winners of the Belmont Stakes that were run when a Triple Crown was on the line.

In 2004, it was Zito’s Birdstone who ran past the fan favorite Smarty Jones to deny him his bid for racing immortality. In 2008, it was Da’ Tara, who went gate to wire in a race in which Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown failed to finish, being pulled up around the far turn by jockey Kent Desormeaux.

It is with a mixture of frustration, hope, and envy that Michael Matz prepares Union Rags to take on I’ll Have Another in the 144th Belmont Stakes on June 9 at Belmont Park.

Frustration because of the terrible trip Union Rags had in the Kentucky Derby on May 5. Hope that Union Rags can show his best in the Belmont. And envy that another horse is going for the Triple Crown.

“I thought this horse could win the Triple Crown,” Matz said of Union Rags during a national teleconference Wednesday. “But you have to let it go, because it’s not going to come back.”

GALLANT FOX - 1930

While I’ll Have Another has settled in at Belmont Park in preparation for a Triple Crown bid in the 144th Belmont Stakes on June 9, his trainer, Doug O’Neill, will have his attention redirected Thursday clear across the country to Betfair Hollywood Park, where the California Horse Racing Board, at its scheduled monthly meeting, will take the next step in a case that potentially could result in O’Neill being suspended for six months.

John Velazquez has picked up the mount on Union Rags, trainer Michael Matz said Tuesday.

The switch was not a surprise. The connections of Union Rags were not happy with how things unfolded for Union Rags in his last two starts, both with Julien Leparoux. And Velazquez was considered one of the top contenders to replace him.

Leparoux had ridden Union Rags in the Kentucky Derby, in which Union Rags finished seventh after a troubled trip. Leparoux also rode Union Rags in the Florida Derby, in which he finished third.

SIR BARTON - 1919

Soon after I’ll Have Another won the Robert Lewis Stakes in February, the decision was made to not race him again until the Santa Anita Derby, the theory being he would be fresh not only for that race, but for the Triple Crown series if he was fortunate enough to keep doing well.

That may have seemed wishful thinking at the time. Now, it looks like a brilliant plan, for I’ll Have Another has arrived in New York with a chance to capture the Triple Crown.

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List of possible starters for the 2012 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 9. Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another will try to sweep the Triple Crown. Click horse names to access contender profiles.

Mark Valeski, who won the Peter Pan Stakes on May 12 and has been considered a top contender for the Belmont Stakes on June 9, is now “doubtful” for the final leg of the Triple Crown, trainer Larry Jones said Monday, citing the colt’s lack of energy since the Peter Pan.

“Mark’s actually doing OK, but he got a little tired after the race,” Jones said Monday from Churchill Downs, where Mark Valeski was sent after the Peter Pan. “He doesn’t have the same energy level. It’s looking like the Belmont is more and more doubtful. He’s not showing a lot of sparkle.