[bigboydan]

Heres a nice write up on the Belmont, and I thought I'd share it with you guys:

This year's running of the 2007 Belmont Stakes may have lost some of its
luster due to the simple fact that there won't be a shot at a Triple Crown
winner. However, there are still a few a few intriguing storylines to watch
for in the 139th Belmont Stakes this weekend.



The horse race came up a little short on participants with seven horses
expected to make the 1 ½-mile run at Belmont Park. After losing the
Preakness Stakes by a nose to Curlin, Street Sense decided to skip the
Belmont to prepare for a few other races down the road. With Street Sense
out, the clear race favorite becomes Preakness winner Curlin. The fiery colt
showed his late-race speed after running down Street Sense in the Preakness,
and he'll likely be the horse to beat coming out of the No. 3 post position
at Belmont Park. If Curlin is able to win the Belmont he'll be the first
horse since Afleet Alex in 2005 to capture the last two legs of the Triple
Crown.



Curlin's biggest threat on Saturday looks like it might be Kentucky Derby
runner-up Hard Spun. After getting overtaken by Street Sense late in the
Derby, Hard Spun ended up finishing third in the Preakness. Apparently Hard
Spun's owner and trainer were disappointed in his Preakness running because
they've decided to switch jockeys in the Belmont, replacing Mario Pino with
Garrett Gomez. It's hard to say whether or not this change will be what Hard
Spun needs to break through and win at Belmont.



The horse that is receiving increasingly more attention as the buzz heats up
leading to the Belmont is Rags to Riches. Todd Pletcher decided to throw
Rags to Riches into the Belmont mix after the field came out so thin. What
makes Rags to Riches a noteworthy addition to the field is that she is a
filly. She has been the fastest against other fillies this year, including a
win in the Kentucky Oaks, but now she'll have to prove her worth against the
boys. Rags To Riches will be the first filly to race in the Belmont since
Silverbulletday came seventh in 1999. Only two fillies have ever won the
Belmont and it's been quite awhile - Tanya won in 1905 and Ruthless won it
way, way back in 1867.



The rest of the Belmont field currently includes Imawildandcrazyguy, Tiago,
Slew's Tizzy and CP West. Post time is 6:25 pm EDT on Saturday.

[bigboydan]

Don't miss out on the third leg of the triple crown.