Belmont Stakes – Preakness Recap

Animal Kingdom was upset yesterday in the Preakness Stakes by Shackleford who had previously finished 4^th in the Kentucky Derby and once again our chances for a Triple Crown winner are gone and the Belmont Stakes are irrelevant and the season is over until next year right?

Wrong!

I am not sure who came up with this pressure for the Triple Crown to be the only meaningful part of the racing season; likely the the fat old guys running NBC who offer the worst racing coverage possible! It’s no joke, I spent my day watching the simulcast feed while wagering at TVG and while it also leaves allot to be desired it offers one main component that people want and that’s to watch the races! What a novel concept right? Let people watch lots or all of the races since it is a day long event. I miss ESPN showing a race, switching back to Kenny Mayne and the guys, watching a race, switching back to Kenny Mayne and the guys, you get the picture. Imagine NBC covering the Olympics and only showing the final event from each sport and nothing running up to it? Doesn’t work does it…

Thankfully there is one thing that I can never be upset with or let down by in horse racing and that is the racing itself!

On June 11^th the racing season will continue with the Belmont Stakes, live from Belmont Park in Elmont, New York and we already have some great headlines surrounding the event.

Preakness Stakes winner Shacklefords trainer Dale Romans said there’s a “better than 50-50 chance” that Shackleford will run in the Belmont Stakes and look to win two of the three legs of the Triple Crown. Shackleford has been shipped back to Churchill instead of traveling straight to Belmont Park simply so they could rest him and properly evaluate the Preakness winner. “We sent him back to Kentucky, where he’ll train for a few days,” Romans said May 22 at Pimlico Race Course. “Then we’ll make a decision on the Belmont. It’s ultimately (Mike Lauffer’s) call, but he’ll let me have some input.”

“I think there’s a better than 50-50 chance. He ate up well this morning.”

Dale Romans was quick to come out and suggest some friendly competition for the Belmont Stakes “I think it would be great if we could develop a little bit of a rivalry in the 3-year-old division,” Romans said. “I think these 3-year-olds are better than most people realize.” Hopefully Graham Motion will bring Animal Kingdom to answer the bell.

I think the horse ran huge,” Motion said of Animal Kingdom. “If it wasn’t for the fact that it was the Triple Crown, you’d be thrilled that he ran so well. (The Belmont) definitely will be a possibility as long as he’s OK. I heard (Team Valor president Barry Irwin) mention it, and I think (jockey John Velazquez) feels strongly it would suit him.”

“Another Preakness is in the books, and it was another tough assignment,” Zito said. “I don’t know why he has to stay that far back. One of the things that frustrates me is he’s squeezed all the time.”

“He breaks cleanly and then eases himself back, but when you’re squeezed, you’re already taken back. I really wanted him in the clear when he made his move. It’s just racing. There’s not much you can do.”

Nick Zito went on to say that Dialed In will in all likelyhood not run in the Belmont Stakes.

“Right now I’m not in a hurry to do anything,” Zito said. “It’s a little hard for him to do right now. I’ve got to be nuts to jump at it; you have to think of your horse.”

There is still no news on Mucho Macho Man who was rumored to have lost his front right shoe during the Preakness, adding yet another serving of bad luck to this young horses troubled career that seems it could be so great if he could just stop running into the laundry list of issues that he has already encountered. The last great horse I saw that was this unlucky was last years Lookin At Lucky!

Cheers,

Jack