Joseph Lacombe Stable's Deputy Glitters breezed five furlongs over Belmont's main track Monday morning in 1:01 4/5 in preparation for the June 10 Belmont Stakes. Belmont possible Cause to Believe also worked Monday, at Bay Meadows.
Monday, May 29, 2006Bluegrass Cat, the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) runner up to Barbaro, breezed five furlongs over Belmont's main track Sunday morning in 1:00.30.
Sunday, May 28, 2006Bluegrass Cat, the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) runner up to Barbaro, breezed five furlongs over Belmont's main track Sunday morning in 1:00.30.
Sunday, May 28, 2006Steppenwolfer and Jazil, the third and fourth-place finishers in the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum Brands (gr. I), both worked over a fast main track at Belmont Park Saturday morning in preparation for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) on June 10.
Saturday, May 27, 2006NBC's telecast of the May 20 Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course near Baltimore, Md., drew a slightly higher audience than the 2005 running. The network reported a 5.4 national rating and a 14 share for the program, which ran from 5 to 6:50 p.m. EDT.
Thursday, May 25, 2006Yes, there still is another leg of the Triple Crown to be run. Although the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) on June 10 has lost its star appeal with the absence of Barbaro and Bernardini, it is still a classic, and a grueling one at that, and should at least be a competitive race, offering interesting possibilities for bettors.
Thursday, May 25, 2006Darley Stable's Bernardini, 5 1/4-length winner of the May 20 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), will not run in the June 10 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), according to a statement released by Darley.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced April 13 the launch of "Beat the Handicapper," a free, eight-week contest at www.ntra.com that challenges fans to correctly handicap one designated race each week.
Thursday, April 13, 2006Westwood One will present exclusive radio coverage of the Triple Crown, with coverage beginning with the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) live from Churchill Downs May 6th and continuing with the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) May 20th from Pimlico Race Course and the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 10 from Belmont Park.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006ABC Sports, which will be televising the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) from Belmont Park in New York June 10, has announced it will be expanding the telecast to two hours. The program will air from 5 p.m.-7p.m. ET.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006Although they haven't completely closed the door on getting a deal put together, officials at Triple Crown Productions say it is unlikely there will be a joint sponsor this year for the three races.
Friday, March 24, 2006ESPN Original Entertainment (EOE) announced it will produce an original film, "Ruffian," based on the story of the great filly who was undefeated until suffering a fatal breakdown in a match race against Foolish Pleasure at Belmont Park in 1975.
Thursday, January 12, 2006Early nominations -- at $600 per horse -- for this year's Triple Crown series, which starts with the 132nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6, are being accepted until Saturday, Jan. 21. The other two legs of the Triple Crown are the May 20 Preakness (gr. I) at Pimlico and the June 10 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006Attendance fell by more than 15% and handle declined by 11.2% at the recently concluded 60-day Belmont Park spring/summer meet.
Thursday, August 04, 2005NBC Sports' coverage of the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) managed a 4.5 national rating/11 share for its 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. EDT telecast.
Thursday, June 16, 2005Youbet.com, the California-based online wagering service, handled $3.4 million June 11, Belmont Stakes (gr. I) day, to bring its three-day Triple Crown total to $9.5 million. In 2003, the last time Youbet.com offered wagering on the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), Preakness Stakes (gr. I), and Belmont, total handle was $6.5 million, the company said.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005It was a typical lazy afternoon on the Belmont Park backstretch as two figures strolled down the horse path heading to Barn 5. Afleet Alex and trainer Tim Ritchey had already spent five days stabled in Barn 14 preparing for the 137th Belmont Stakes (gr. I), but Ritchey decided he wanted to move to the barn in which he had originally been assigned.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005On the same day Afleet Alex won the $1-million Belmont Stakes (gr. I), his full brother, Unforgettable Max, won a $47,000 allowance/optional claiming test across the Hudson River and down the Garden State Parkway at Monmouth Park.
Monday, June 13, 2005North American racetracks hosting lemonade stands on Belmont Stakes Day collectively raised more than $114,000 to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand For Pediatric Cancer Research, the charity founded by Alexandra "Alex" Scott in 2000.
Sunday, June 12, 2005Without a possible Triple Crown winner on the line, ratings for NBC's June 11 broadcast of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) dropped to an average overnight rating of 5.0 with an 11 share, down from 13.4 with a 27 share from last year when Smarty Jones made his bid for the 2004 Triple Crown.
Sunday, June 12, 2005The smallest crowd for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) since 1996, 62,274, turned out on a hot and humid afternoon at the Elmont, N.Y., track to see Afleet Alex dominate the 137th running of the 3-year-old classic by seven lengths Saturday.
Saturday, June 11, 2005Preakness (gr. I) winner Afleet Alex, the favorite for Saturday's Belmont Stakes, settled into his new barn without a problem. John Shirreffs, the affable trainer of Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Giacomo, seemed nice and relaxed just one day before the rubber match at 1 1/2 miles.
Friday, June 10, 2005Saturday's six-furlong True North Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park is best described as a scramble, with contenders--or at least horses with the ability to the outcome--positioned in every stall.
Thursday, June 09, 2005Under the new raceday security protocol in effect at Belmont Park, all starters for the 137th Belmont Stakes (gr. I) must be on the Belmont backstretch no later than noon Friday. At that time, security officers will be in place to watch each entrant.
Thursday, June 09, 2005In the 136-year history of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), according to New York Racing Association officials, no maiden has won the "Test of the Champion." Challenging that time-tested theory in the 1 ½-mile classic Saturday are breeder-owner Ken Ramsey and trainer Dale Romans with Nolan's Cat.
Thursday, June 09, 2005Belmont Stakes (gr. I) morning-line favorite Afleet Alex was relocated from Barn 14 to Barn 5 Thursday due to the presence of fellow Belmont starter Nolan's Cat, who is in the same barn.
Thursday, June 09, 2005Argent Mortgage Company, presenting sponsor of Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I), will share the winning spirit throughout the day's 13-race card with a $1,000 donation to the Belmont Child Care Association on behalf of the winner of each of the day's races.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005Premiere Radio Networks will deliver the exclusive radio call of the 137th Belmont Stakes (gr. I) live from Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y June 11.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005Cash is King Stable's Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Afleet Alex was installed the 6-5 morning-line favorite when 11 horses were entered for Saturday's $1-million Belmont Stakes (gr. I), the third leg of the Visa Triple Crown.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005Watchmon, a son of Maria's Mon who is expected to be one of the longest prices on the board in Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I), breezed five furlongs over the main track at Belmont Park Tuesday morning in 1:00.09.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005Trainer Nick Zito has had nine horses finish behind Afleet Alex this year, and will try him again with three more in Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I). That in itself would certainly make the Preakness (gr. I) winner a thorn in Zito's side. But Zito and Alex have a history together that goes back a lot farther than this year's Triple Crown trail.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005It's countdown to the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), and the big question is whether we will have a dual classic winner.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005Of the 136 past winners of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), an even 12 have gone on to sire a Belmont winner (or winners) while at stud. In the 137th edition to be run this Saturday, 1992 winner A.P. Indy could make it an uneven 13 with two sons entered, and Thunder Gulch, sire of 2001 winner Point Given, could have a second son gain Belmont glory.
Monday, June 06, 2005Afleet Alex completes serious training for Belmont Stakes (gr. I)... Chekhov works at Saratoga... Romans searching for jockey to ride Nolan's Cat... Watchmon, likely Belmont starter, to work Tuesday.
Monday, June 06, 2005With the recent "strangles" threat now behind it, the New York Racing Association is going back to its original security plan for Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I) participants.
Monday, June 06, 2005Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Afleet Alex turned in another of his unique feats Monday by jogging a mile and a half at 6:15, then going out at 8:45 and galloping three miles in the sweltering heat and humidity.
Monday, June 06, 2005With less than a week until the 137th Belmont Stakes (gr. I), the mile and a half race looks like this: Preakness (gr. I) winner Afleet Alex, Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Giacomo, and the rest of them.
Monday, June 06, 2005Preakness (gr. I) winner Afleet Alex, the likely favorite for the $1 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 11, arrived without incident at Belmont Park Saturday at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 05, 2005Giacomo, the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner, breezed six furlongs in 1:14 4/5 Sunday morning on the fast track at Hollywood Park in his last serious work for Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Sunday, June 05, 2005Trainer Nick Zito says he'll probably start recent allowance winner Indy Storm in next Saturday's $1 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I), giving him three contenders for the final jewel of the Triple Crown.
Saturday, June 04, 2005Racing fans will be deprived of a rematch between the top two finishers of the dramatic May 21 Preakness (gr. I) won by Afleet Alex. Trainer Robbie Bailes and owner Marshall Dowell have decided that runner-up Scrappy T will not run in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 11.
Friday, June 03, 2005Ken Ramsey, in an effort to gain stature for the stallion Catienus, will run his son Nolan's Cat in the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), even though the colt is still a maiden after five starts.
Friday, June 03, 2005Nick Zito, soon to become racing's newest Hall of Fame trainer, committed Sir Barton winner Pinpoint to the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 11 after the son of Peaks and Valleys worked Thursday at Saratoga's Oklahoma training track.
Thursday, June 02, 2005Extra precautions are being taken to ensure Belmont Park is safe for horses running in the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) because of a suspected case of the contagious respiratory disease strangles. A special barn for out-of-state horses competing in the Belmont is being prepared to eliminate any chance of spreading the disease.
Thursday, June 02, 2005Weekend testing done by both a local laboratory and the University of Illinois have come up negative for horses quarantined at Belmont Park that were suspected of having been exposed to the bacteria that causes a contagious respiratory disease called "strangles."
Wednesday, June 01, 2005Alex's Lemonade Stand will be raising money for childhood oncology at Thoroughbred Racing Association tracks across the nation June 11, as Afleet Alex seeks to follow up his dramatic Preakness Stakes (gr. I) victory with a win in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), the third jewel in the Visa Triple Crown.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005Cash is King Stable's Afleet Alex, winner of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), breezed five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 at Pimlico Wednesday in preparation for the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I). At this point, the colt is expected to arrive in New York on Saturday.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005The field for the 137th Belmont Stakes (gr. I) on June 11 is slowly taking shape, with at least nine 3-year-olds pointing for the third leg of the Triple Crown. The 1 1/2-mile "Test of the Champion" will be headed by Preakness (gr. I) winner Afleet Alex and Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Giacomo.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Giacomo breezed seven furlongs in 1:27 at Hollywood Park Monday morning in preparation for the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Monday, May 30, 2005The field for the 137th running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 11 continues taking shape.
Saturday, May 28, 2005