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Slideshow: Triple Crown Spoilers

View the triple crown contenders with near misses.

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Hansen to Skip Woody Stephens

Hansen, who won this year's Gotham (gr. III) and was last year's champion 2-year-old male, will not start in the June 9 Woody Stephens (gr. II) at Belmont Park due to a low red blood cell count.

Belmont News Minute - 6/4/2012

Steve Haskin examines works for Belmont Stakes contenders Atigun, Dullahan, Paynter, Street Life, Unstoppable U, Guyana Star Dweej, and Union Rags.

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HRRN to Air 13 Hours of Belmont Coverage

Horse Racing Radio Network will air 13 hours of live Triple Crown coverage from Belmont Park leading up to the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), beginning Wednesday, June 6.

Migliore: Belmont a Challenge for Mario

Richie Migliore, based in New York for much of his riding career, offers up some tips for I'll Have Another's jockey Mario Gutierrez about the ins and outs of riding at Belmont Park.

I'll Have Another Visits Belmont Park Paddock

I'll Have Another visited the paddock at Belmont Park the morning of June 3, standing briefly in the saddling enclosure and walking several times around the paddock.

Dullahan Leads Belmont Workers on June 3

With the rain having moved out of the New York area, the June 3 work tab at Belmont Park was busy, with five contenders for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) putting in their final workouts.

C C's Pal Ekes Out Neck Win in Vagrancy

C C's Pal defeated Nicole H by a neck to win the Vagrancy Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park June 2.

Hansen Works Five Furlongs for Woody Stephens

Dr. Kendall Hansen and Skychai Racing's Hansen turned in a bullet work at Churchill Downs' Trackside Training Center in Kentucky June 2.

Romans Criticizes Belmont Detention Plan

Trainer Dale Romans criticized the New York State Racing and Wagering Board's decision to establish a detention barn to house Belmont Stakes (gr. I) starters, saying regulators "think we're all crooks."

Final Workout Plans for Belmont Contenders

With two Belmont Stakes (gr. I) hopefuls having completed their final workouts, trainers of other contenders for the June 9 classic have firmed up their plans.

McNamara, Simmons Win Joe Hirsch Awards

Ed McNamara of Newsday and Todd Simmons of the Staten Island Advance earned top honors in The New York Racing Association's third annual Joe Hirsch Memorial Writing Contest.

I'll Have Another Nearly Hit by Loose Horse

Trainer Doug O'Neill said a loose horse nearly slammed into Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another during training May 31 at Belmont Park.

Alpha Will Take Pass on Belmont Stakes

Godolphin Racing's Alpha, who last raced in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will not be entered in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said May 31.

Nicole H Right Back for Hushion in Vagrancy

Fourth as the favorite in the My Juliet Stakes, Nicole H makes a one-week turnaround for trainer Michael Hushion in the $200,000 Vagrancy Handicap (gr. II) June 2 at Belmont Park.

'Stakes' Barn to Be Used for Belmont Horses

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has issued a set of protocols for horses running in the Belmont Stakes, the most notable one being the use of a stakes barn, to which all Belmont starters must go beginning June 6.

O'Neill, Turner Discuss Belmont Preparations

As he continues to prepare I'll Have Another for the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), trainer Doug O'Neill on May 30 recounted a conversation he had with trainer Billy Turner, who trained 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.

Shortened Workout for Guyana Star Dweej

The May 30 workout at Belmont Park for Guyana Star Dweej was cut short and the Eddington colt was credited with a :50.03 four-furlong breeze.

Plans Undetermined for Memorial Day Winners

The connections of three fillies who won graded stakes on the May 28 Memorial Day card at Belmont Park said they emerged from their respective victories in good order, with future plans undetermined.

Romans Plots Schedule for Shackleford

Trainer Dale Romans said May 29 that Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) winner Shackleford could run in the Whitney Handicap or Woodward Stakes en route to the ultimate goal of winning the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I).

'The Mig' to Tour Belmont Oval With Gutierrez

As jockey Mario Gutierrez prepares for a coveted Triple Crown in the June 9 Belmont Stakes, he will have the advice of retired rider Richard Migliore, who recorded 1,352 wins at Belmont Park during his career.

Wagering, Attendance Up on Met Mile Card

With four graded stakes highlighted by the Metropolitan Mile Handicap (gr. I), Belmont Park posted double digit increases in attendance and all-source handle for the May 28 Memorial Day card.

Shackleford Hangs On to Win Metropolitan

Shackleford led from start to finish and the 4-year-old son of Forestry held off a fast-closing Caleb's Posse to win the $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park May 28.

Consistent It's Tricky Wins Ogden Phipps

Godolphin Racing's It's Tricky, a daughter of Mineshaft who has won or placed in 11 of 12 starts, wore down pacesetter Cash for Clunkers to win the Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) on the Belmont Park Memorial Day card.

Contested Unrivaled in Easy Acorn Triumph

Even-money choice Contested went gate to wire as the easiest of winners in the $300,000 Acorn Stakes (gr. I) May 28 at Belmont Park.

Better Lucky Holds on to Win Sands Point

Making her turf debut and first start in graded company, Darley Stable homebred Better Lucky lived up to her name when she outdueled Regalo Mia by a nose in the Sands Point (gr. IIT).

O'Neill and Team to Attend Yankees-Mets Game

The daughter of late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner invited Doug O'Neill, Mario Gutierrez, and I'll Have Another owner Paul Reddam to each throw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium the night before the Belmont Stakes.

Paynter Posts Bullet Work for Belmont Stakes

Zayat Stables' Paynter posted a bullet work over the Belmont Park training track May 27 as the Bob Baffert-trained colt continued his preparations for the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Alpha Breezes Five Furlongs at Belmont Park

Godolphin Racing's Alpha breezed five furlongs in 1:01.93 over the Belmont training track May 27, his second published workout since a 12th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Aruna Takes Start-Plagued Sheepshead Bay

Flaxman Holdings homebred Aruna took charge at the five-sixteenths pole and held off Hit It Rich to win the Sheepshead Bay, a race that was impacted by a troubled start for Mystical Star and Magical Cat.

No Pushovers in Strong Metropolitan Handicap

Experience and previous success on the Belmont Park dirt surface could be the deciding factor when a short but strong field gathers for the $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at one mile May 28.

On Fire Baby Returns in Acorn

Anita Cauley's homebred On Fire Baby cuts back to a one-turn mile at Belmont Park in the May 28 TVG Acorn Stakes (gr. I). The Smoke Glacken filly was a disappointing fifth as the second choice in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Somali Lemonade Seeks to Regain Winning Form

Grade III winner Somali Lemonade seeks to get back on the winning track when she heads the eight-horse field entered in the May 28 Sands Point (gr. IIT) on the Memorial Day card at Belmont Park.

I'll Have Another Gallops at Belmont Park

With a steady rain falling, dual classic winner I'll Have Another galloped a mile at Belmont Park May 25 as he continued to prepare for attempt at history in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

THS: Sheepshead Bay Stakes

Tom and Evan handicap the Sheepshead Bay Stakes at Belmont Park this weekend.

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Aruna Looks to Get Back On Beam in Sheepshead

No factor in her only start this year, Aruna looks to get back on the beam for trainer Graham Motion in the $200,000 Sheepshead Bay Stakes (gr. IIT), scheduled for the inner turf course at Belmont Park May 26.

On Fire Baby Leads Acorn Probables

Among the list of current Acorn probables is Anita Ebert-Cauley's homebred filly On Fire Baby, who is looking to redeem a lackluster fifth-place effort in the May 4 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Steve Cauthen to Sign Autographs at Belmont

Hall of Famers Steve Cauthen, who 34 years ago piloted Affirmed to become the 11th and most recent Triple Crown winner, and Jorge Velasquez, who rode runner-up Alydar, will autograph postcards May 26 at Belmont Park.

Velazquez Named to Ride Union Rags in Belmont

Trainer Michael Matz confirmed May 22 that Union Rags will be ridden by jockey John Velazquez in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Report: Mark Valeski Unlikely for Belmont

Brereton Jones' homebred Mark Valeski probably won't compete in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), trainer Larry Jones told Daily Racing Form May 21.

I'll Have Another 'A Very Happy Horse'

An assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill said Triple Crown contender I'll Have Another was a happy horse the morning of May 21 and could go to the Belmont Park main track later in the week.

Union Rags, Dullahan Lead Belmont Prospects

A strong contingent of horses will attempt to spoil the Triple Crown bid of I'll Have Another when the 3-year-olds assemble at Belmont Park on June 9 for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Stay Thirsty Second to Trickmeister in Return

Stay Thirsty, last year's Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner, proved no match for Trickmeister in the Vanlandingham Stakes at Belmont Park May 17.

Guyana Star Dweej Not Going in Preakness

Maryland Jockey Club racing officials said May 16 that Guyana Star Dweej would not be entered in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

Stay Thirsty Starts Year in Overnight Stakes

Stay Thirsty, the 2011 Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner, will make his 4-year-old bow in the Vanlandingham overnight stakes at Belmont Park May 17.

Stay Thirsty Drills Five Furlongs at Belmont

Stay Thirsty, the 2011 Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner, breezed a quick five furlongs over the Belmont Park training track May 11 as he points to a summer campaign in New York for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Believe You Can Pointed for Mother Goose

Trainer Larry Jones revealed May 11 he would likely point Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Believe You Can to the 1 1/16-mile Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park June 23.

Alpha Under Consideration for Belmont Stakes

Godolphin Racing's Alpha, 12th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, returned to the track at Belmont Park May 11 and is under consideration for the Belmont Stakes.

Shackleford Headed for Metropolitan Handicap

After recording his first win since last spring's Preakness (gr. I), Shackleford is being groomed for a start in the $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park May 28.

Summer Front Tries Dirt in Peter Pan

Because of their presence on the Triple Crown trail, Mark Valeski and The Lumber Guy are favored, but Waterford Stable's Summer Front has the potential to be one of the brightest 3-year-old stars in the country.