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 told New York Racing Association officials May 31.
McLaughlin said the Bernardini colt spiked a temperature of 103 degrees May 29.
"He was fine by 11 p.m. that evening after treatment, fine yesterday, and he’s fine today, but it’s too high a temperature too close to the race,” McLaughlin said. “It’s unfortunate.”
Alpha has had a couple of works at Belmont Park in May. He finished 12th in the Kentucky Derby after a close second-place finish in the Resorts World New York City Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I).
It appears a field of at least 10 is possible for the June 9 Belmont, in which I'll Have Another will bid to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.