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Belmont Doings: 'It's a Tote Board Race'

Every day seems to bring a new Belmont Stakes (gr. I) pick. What else is new? This year's Belmont is that kind of race. There is no standout, and the majority of the horses entered seem to have a legitimate shot to win.

Belmont News Minute: Friday, 6/4/2010

Lenny Shulman and Steve Haskin report on today's activities, including Drosselmeyer, Fly Down, Ice Box, Dave in Dixie, and Game On Dude. Plus, a weather update.

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Belmont Doings: Plenty of History to be Made

If people think there is nothing historical about this year's Belmont, they are greatly mistaken.

Three Work for Belmont; Interactif in Field

Three probable starters for the June 5 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) turned in their final works the morning of May 31 at the New York racetrack, and the race got another starter in Interactif.

Stately Victor, Stay Put Arrive at Belmont

Belmont Stakes (gr. I) hopeful Stately Victor arrived at Belmont Park a few hours behind schedule May 27, but no worse for the trip.

Make Music for Me, Drosselmeyer on Work Tab

Newly arrived Make Music for Me had his first breeze at Belmont Park May 23, covering a mile in 1:43.65 with trainer Alexis Barba looking on in preparation for the June 5 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Smith to Ride Drosselmeyer in Belmont

Drosselmeyer, who has been graded stakes-placed in his last two starts under Kent Desormeaux, will get a new rider for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). The colt will be ridden by Mike Smith in the third leg of the Triple Crown.

Ice Box Works; Belmont Field Shaping Up

Robert LaPenta Jr.'s Ice Box, the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) runner-up and probable morning-line favorite for the upcoming Belmont Stakes (gr. I), turned in a four-furlong work at Saratoga May 19.

Fly Down Soars to Convincing Dwyer Victory

Nick Zito found another major contender for next month's Belmont Stakes (gr. I), as Richard Pell's Fly Down demolished six 3-year-old rivals in the $200,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) May 8 at Belmont Park.

Drosselmeyer Could Be Belmont Stakes Bound

The plan is to go in the classic if the colt runs well in the Dwyer Stakes (gr. II).

THS: Dwyer Stakes and Ky Derby Recap

Jason, Tom, and Tim Holland preview the Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park.

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Drosselmeyer Included in Dwyer Lineup

A field of seven 3-year-olds led by WinStar Farm's Drosselmeyer, was drawn for the $200,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II), which now serves as the local prep for next month's Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Drosselmeyer Among 41 Lexington Nominees

The Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) attracted 41 nominations for 29th running of the $300,000 event for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the Keeneland Polytrack April 17.

Endorsement Earns Derby Nod with Sunland Win

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Distorted Humor again figures in Triple Crown hopes as son Endorsement enters the Derby picture in the newly-graded Sunland Derby.

Drosselmeyer Could Get One More Chance

Drosselmeyer, who ran a solid third in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) March 27 but is likely still short on graded earnings to get into the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), could take one more shot at getting to the Big Dance

Mission Impazible Hits His Mark in La. Derby

Twin Creeks Racing Stable's Mission Impazible gave Pletcher yet another major Kentucky Derby contender March 27 when the son of Unbridled's Song overtook a pair of horses in deep stretch to win the $750,000 Louisiana Derby.

THS: Louisiana Derby

Jason, Tom, and Rich Nilsen of twinspires.com preview the Louisiana Derby (gr. II).

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Full But Unproven Field Contest La. Derby

The field for this weekend's Louisiana Derby (gr. II) is similar to the recently concluded Florida Derby (gr. I) in one important way: Both major Kentucky Derby preps drew full fields of promising but unproven 3-year-olds.

Baker's Dozen Entered in Louisiana Derby

The $750,000 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds on Saturday, March 27, has drawn a field of 13, headed by Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) winner Discreetly Mine.

WinStar Still Has Big Plans For Drosselmeyer

Despite losing by less than two lengths in his first stakes try, Drosselmeyer seems to have fallen off the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) radar of many. Winstar Farm's racing manager Elliott Walden thinks it could be a mistake.

Lane's End Stakes Draws 151 Nominations

WinStar Farms, owner of last year's Lane's End winner Hold Me Back, have nominated 10 to the 39th running of the Lane's End. Todd Pletcher is the leading trainer by nominations for the second straight year with 13.

Discreetly Mine Gets Every Yard in Risen Star

E. Paul Robsham Stables' homebred Discreetly Mine took a full field sophomores gate to wire in the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 20 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

THS: Fountain of Youth & Risen Star

Jason, Tom, and James Scully of brisnet/twinspires.com preview the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) and the Risen Star (gr. II).

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Stars on the Rise: 12 Entered in Risen Star

Fair Grounds' $300,000 prep race attracts plenty of potential stars; gains some starters from Florida.

'All Others' Heavy Favorite After Day 1

Lookin At Lucky ended the day as the favored individual contender for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands (gr. I), but the "all others" wagering interest was a heavy overall favorite.

Winstar's TC Hopes at 4 with Drosselmeyer

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Although he hasn't yet won a stakes event, Distorted Humor's son Drosselmeyer showed plenty of potential and jumped into Triple Crown discussions with a nine-furlong allowance win.

Kentucky Derby Trail: Party Scene

WinStar adds another Kentucky Derby hopeful in Drosselmeyer, winner of an allowance race at Gulfstream Sunday.

Kentucky Derby Trail: Lurking in the Shadows

Featuring '10 to Watch,' with an eye on a 1 1/8-mile allowance race at Gulfstream Sunday.

Kentucky Derby Trail: Opening Act

As a prelude to the Derby Dozen, we are publishing a Top 25 list made up solely of horses who have not yet run in a stakes.

Ky. Derby Trail: December Doldrums

Who cares if it's only December? You can still pretend eggnog is really a mint julep or that Santa means Santa Anita Derby or that poinsettias smell like roses or that "Jingle Bells" sounds like "My Old Kentucky Home."