Aside from the Derby/Preakness winners: Nehro will be tough...but everyone else knows it. Master of Hounds is interesting as he should stay the distance. Alternation was a good looking winner of the peter Pan. Mucho Macho Man may be a decent price if he can manage to keep his shoes on.
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my three are;1rst-master of hounds,2nd-animal kingdom,3rd-much macho man,4th-nehru.if astrologer runs he then ranks 1srt over the picks i just mentioned.
good luck everyoneComment -
FRIDAY NIGHT MAY 27, 2011
Animal Kingdom confirmed for Belmont
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner and Preakness (G1) runner-up ANIMAL KINGDOM (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]) will run in the $1 million Belmont S. (G1) at Belmont Park on June 11, trainer Graham Motion said Friday.
"We just made the decision that he will be coming to the Belmont," said Motion, speaking from the training center at Fair Hill, Maryland, where Animal Kingdom has been stabled since finishing a half-length behind SHACKLEFORD (Forestry) in the second leg of racing's Triple Crown. "He bounced out of the Preakness very well and we are looking forward to running in the Belmont Stakes.
"He will probably come to Belmont Park the week leading up to race, depending on where we decide to have his final workout."
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SECOND TRAINER TO COMMIT........fourteen spots remain. MAXIMUM Field is 16Comment -
Thoroughbred racing fans would love to see the budding rivalry between Animal Kingdom and Shackleford continue in the 1 1/2-mile "Test of Champions," the 143rd edition of the $1 million Belmont S. (G1) on June 11, but it may not happen.
Animal Kingdom will probably show up for the final leg of the Triple Crown. Bred to relish the extra distance, the Team Valor colt should find the expansive track in Elmont, New York, more to his liking than Pimlico. The Kentucky Derby didn't appear to take much out of the lightly-raced sophomore, who has compiled three wins and three seconds in his six-race career, and the Graham Motion-trained colt looms as a huge threat to rebound from his solid showing in the Preakness.
Romans said after the Preakness that he would love to run Shackleford in the Belmont, but don't be surprised to see him removed from consideration upon further reflection. The Preakness winner receives plenty of stamina from his Unbridled dam, Oatsee, but the 12-furlong Belmont distance remains a potential stumbling block for a son of Forestry. And Shackleford would need to wheel back on short rest following grueling efforts in both the Derby and Preakness. Romans would be wise to freshen his charge for lucrative prizes this summer like the $1 million Haskell (G1) and $1 million Travers (G1).
By James Scully
Brisnet.comComment -
SATURDAY MAY 28, 2011
Mike Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge’s Preakness Stakes winner Shackleford is expected to ship to New York in the next couple of days and will have a workout over the Belmont track before a final decision is made about running in the June 11 Belmont Stakes, according to the Churchill Downs communications department. The 3-year-old son of Forestry returned to the Churchill Downs backstretch the morning of May 22, one day after his triumph in the May 21 Preakness. Trainer Dale Romans said he will train Shackleford as if he is going to start in the Belmont.
Found on Brisnet.comComment -
SUNDAY MAY 29, 2011
Mucho Macho Man gets new shoes
Story by: David Grening
Source: DRF.com
As well as Mucho Macho Man ran in the Louisiana Derby despite losing a left front shoe, it wasn't a trend his connections were hoping to set. So after Mucho Macho Man lost his right front shoe in the Preakness, trainer Kathy Ritvo felt she had to make a change.
So a few days after the Preakness, in which Mucho Macho Man finished sixth, Ritvo changed blacksmiths as well as style of shoes. If Mucho Macho Man does indeed make it to the starting gate for the June 11 Belmont Stakes - which is the plan - he will do so in a set of synthetic glue-on shoes designed by Curtis Burns, who is now the colt's new blacksmith.
Burns, based in Wellington, Fla., flew to New York in the middle of last week, put the shoes on the horse on Thursday, and Mucho Macho Man returned to training Friday, when he jogged a mile over the Belmont training track. On Saturday, Mucho Macho Man galloped 1 1/2 miles over the training track.
"Hopefully, this does the trick," Ritvo said. "If anything does the trick, this is going to do the trick."
Burns describes his type of synthetic shoe as one that "has a wireless skeleton where it can be shaped very easily to fit the foot where most synthetics are not able to be shaped," Burns said.
"It's basically an extension of their foot," Burns added. "What it does is it flexes with the foot, so it's a little bit different feel for the horses. Sometimes, it takes them a little while to get used to them. It's almost like they're barefoot."
Burns said the specific shoes he put on Mucho Macho Man have a square toe that enables a horse "to get their feet out of the way a little easier when they're striding out. Stress reduction would probably be the best way of putting it."
Burns said several top horses have used his shoes with success. Burns said Curlin wore these polyflex shoes in the final three starts of his career in 2008 - winning the Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup before finishing fourth in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Burns said Indian Blessing also wore his shoes.
Mucho Macho Man was wearing glue-on shoes in the Preakness, but somehow - presumably early in the race - he dislodged his right front shoe. In the Louisiana Derby, Mucho Macho Man threw his left front shoe yet managed to finish third, beaten less than one length.
Ritvo believes that Mucho Macho Man's naturally long stride made it that his hind foot struck a front shoe and dislodged it. Ritvo is hoping that with these shoes that will alleviate the problem.
"I want him to keep his natural stride with assurances of keeping the shoe on," Ritvo said. "It's not a traditional hard shoe."
Burns said that he also put two new flat shoes on Mucho Macho Man's hind feet. Burns said the cost of those shoes were $500. Burns said he often thinks of something trainer Steve Asmussen, who uses Burns' shoes on a lot of his horses said.
"Yes, they're expensive," Burns recalled Asmussen saying, "but losing is far more expensive."Comment -
Sunday may 29, 2011
13 days to the belmont stakes.
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SUNDAY NIGHT MAY 29, 2011
The Belmont Stakes lost a contender on Sunday when trainer Donnie Von Hemel withdrew Peter Pan Stakes (G2) winner Alternation from consideration. Von Hemel instead will target the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) on July 30 and the Travers Stakes (G1) on August 27 for the Distorted Humor colt.
“We just decided to not come to the Belmont,” said Von Hemel. “We thought we should give him a bit of a breather and point him towards races like the Jim Dandy and Travers.”
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what does everyone think of master of hounds in the belmont..Comment -
I think MOH has a shot here. You never know who will keep running on in this one and he has those Coolmore turf breeding lines that get stamina through Sadler's Wells.Comment -
TUESDAY MAY 31, 2011
11 Days to the Belmont StakesComment -
TUESDAY MAY 31, 2011
Shackleford arrives at Belmont
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TUESDAY MAY 31, 2011
As of May 29, 2011, a list of Belmont Stakes Contenders ONLY.
Confirmed to race in the Belmont Stakes:
Animal KingdomComment -
TUESDAY MAY 31, 2011
Possible Belmont S. starter PRIME CUT (Bernstein) will breeze Tuesday or Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs. The chestnut was third in the Peter Pan S. (G2) and second in the Lexington S. (G3) in his last two starts.
"He'll work this week and then have one more work before his next start," trainer Neil Howard said. "He's possible for the Belmont, but we're still not sure what we want to do with him."
Another horse in the Howard barn that could show up in the Belmont is Lecomte S. (G3) winner WILKINSON, a son of 1999 Belmont winner Lemon Drop Kid.
"I'm considering Wilkinson for the Belmont," Howard said. "He seems like the kind of horse that would like going a mile and a half."
Wilkinson won an allowance race at Churchill Downs in his most recent start on May 3.Comment -
TUESDAY NIGHT MAY 31, 2011
Change of menu.....
Prime Cut works toward possible Belmont start
PRIME CUT (Bernstein), a candidate for the $1 million Belmont S. (G1) on June 11, worked five furlongs in 1:03 3/5 on Tuesday at Churchill Downs.
"Everything went good," Howard said. "I was just looking to go just a nice five-eighths -- not too fast, not too slow. I thought he went well, finished good and galloped out strong. He's been running -- he's just come off the Peter Pan (G2) -- so he's a pretty fit horse."
Howard said Prime Cut remains in the Belmont Stakes picture, but a final decision is pending.
"He's a possibility," Howard said. "We're still going to take another couple of days before we make a decision."
Meanwhile, Howard is making stakes plans for two other talented three-year-olds in his care. The trainer said WILKINSON (Lemon Drop Kid), winner of Fair Grounds' Lecomte (G3), would likely compete next in the $125,000 Matt Winn S. (G3) -- formerly known as the Northern Dancer -- on Stephen Foster Day, June 18, at Churchill Downs. Derby Trial (G3) winner MACHEN (Distorted Humor) will likely run in the Dwyer (G2) on July 2 at Belmont ParkComment -
Well... Well.... Well..... this is unpresidented.... less than two weeks before the third leg of the triple crown BELMONT Stakes Race and we only have ONE Entry comfirmed.
A lot of Prospective and Probables horses on the list,,,,,,,,but WOW.
Animal Kingdom connections say YES,,,,,, Master of Hounds say they are coming back over the Ocean,,,,,,,, Mucho Macho Man has new shoes he is trying out,,,,,,,
WE might get 7 or 8 by post position draw time....Maybe.
Makes you think what if they move the third leg closer to the Preakness
and shorten the Distance.
Kentuck Derby @ 1 1/4 miles,,,,,2 weeks .....Preakness @1 1/8 miles...2 weeks.... Belmont Stakes @ 1 1/16 miles.
Basically, all that the 1 1/2 miles proves is the horse has stamina. Which we know in the modern world of American horse racing on dirt,,,,this is non existant.
Three races at route distance or over, with 2 weeks rest proves the same thing if that is what they are looking at. IMOComment -
I have 14 horses up for consideration on my list so i think there will be a field of 10-12...but probly only 6 horses that actually have a shot to win. Animal Kingdom and Nehro are the two best followed by shackleford, master of hounds, mucho macho man, and santiva.Comment -
THURSDAY JUNE 2, 2011
9 DAYS to THE BELMONT STAKESComment -
THURSDAY JUNE2, 2011
Must be Mucho Macho Man AND Stay Thirsty are a "go".....
Ramon Dominguez, last year’s Eclipse Award-winning jockey, will ride Mucho Macho Man in the June 11 Belmont Stakes, his agent, Steve Rushing, informed on Wednesday.
Rajiv Maragh rode Mucho Macho Man in his last three starts - a victory in the Louisiana Derby, a third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, and a sixth-place finish in the Preakness.
Stay Thirsty will have a new rider in the Belmont. The Mike Repole-owned colt will be ridden by Javier Castellano. In the Kentucky Derby, where Stay Thirsty finished 12th, he was ridden by Ramon Dominguez.Comment -
Stay Thirsty is in so Repole and his buddies can have a NY party. Hasn't developed an ounce this year, and wasn't that good to begin with.Comment -
THURSDAY NIGHT JUNE 2, 2011
A maybe starter in the Belmont Stakes ......
One potential starter, Monzon, worked out at Sagamore Farm in Maryland. Monzon, who finished sixth in the Peter Pan Stakes, worked six furlongs in 1:16 according to the Daily Racing Form. The Racing Form quoted Monzon’s trainer, Nacho Correas, as saying, “He’s doing great…He worked like a monster.”
Monzon is owned by Kevin Plank the founder of Under Armour, and Monzon will be Plank’s first starter in a Triple Crown race. John Eisenberg at CSNbaltimore quoted Plank’s general manager Tom Mullikin about Monzon. Mullikin said, “We’re going to swing for the fences.” Mullikin believes that Monzon’s race in the Peter Pan was not that bad. He said, “We used that as a prep race (for the Belmont) …He was beaten (by) seven lengths. It doesn’t sound impressive, but in watching the race closely, we saw some things that led us to believe he may have a shot.”
Monzon’s entrance will, according to Eisenberg, give “Baltimore a rooting interest in the Belmont on June 11.” According to the Blood-Horse, Monzon is scheduled to work one more time before the Belmont.Comment -
SATURDAY JUNE 4 2011
Next Saturday, June 11, 2011 is the BELMONT STAKES.
as of June 2, 2011 probable starters:
Horse~~~Trainer~~~Last start
Animal Kingdom~~~ Graham Motion ~~~2nd - Preakness
Brilliant Speed ~~~Tom Albertrani ~~~7th - Ky. Derby
Isn’t He Perfect ~~~Doodnauth Shivmangal ~~~9th - Preakness
Master of Hounds ~~~Aidan O'Brien ~~~~~5th - Ky. Derby
Monzon~~~~~~~ Ignacio Correas IV ~~~6th - Peter Pan
Mucho Macho Man ~~~Kathy Ritvo~~~ 6th - Preakness
Nehro ~~~~~~~~Steve Asmussen ~~~2nd - Ky. Derby
Ruler On Ice ~~~~Kelly Breen ~~~~~2nd - Federico Tesio
Santiva ~~~~~~Eddie Kenneally ~~~~6th - Ky. Derby
Shackleford ~~~~ Dale Romans ~~~~~1st - Preakness
Stay Thirsty ~~~~Todd Pletcher ~~~~~12th - Ky. Derby
Possibles:
Harlan’s Hello ~~~ Doodnauth Shivmangal ~~~~1st - Op. claiming
Post Position Draw later this week.Comment -
The 143rd Belmont Stakes field is starting to take shape, and the race is starting to look like the Kentucky Derby Take Two.
The top seven finishers from Louisville appear likely to start in the third jewel of the Triple Crown, which will take place on Saturday, June 11 at Belmont Park.
The race lost two potential starters this week, as Wilkinson is going to go in Saturday’s Ohio Derby at Thistledown and Prime Cut is being pointed toward the Matt Winn at Churchill Downs on June 18.Comment -
SUNDAY JUNE 5,2011
found at:
June 4, 2011, 2:28 pm
Preakness Winner to Race Derby Winner at Belmont
By JOE DRAPEThe rubber match between the Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and the Preakness Stakes champion Shackleford is, indeed, on for the 143rd renewal of the Belmont Stakes.
Shackleford worked five furlongs in 1:00.30 at Belmont Park on Saturday morning, good enough for trainer Dale Romans to commit his colt to the $1 million race on Saturday, June 11.
“As long as he comes out of the work good, he will run,” Romans said, after conferring via telephone with Shackleford’s owner, Michael Lauffer. “I am excited he’s doing so well and coming into the race the right way. I think he’s going to be very competitive.”
It will be just the 22nd time in the history of the Triple Crown that the Derby and Preakness winners have squared off in the Belmont. Romans said it is “fun to get a rivalry started” with Animal Kingdom. “It’s good for racing,” he said.
With the exercise rider Tammy Fox aboard on the main Belmont track, Shackleford went the first eighth in 12.41, three furlongs in 36.26, five furlongs in 1:00.30, and galloped out in 1:14.21.
“I wanted to see him work his normal work, and he did today,” said Romans of the 3-year-old son of Forestry out of the Unbridled mare Oatsee. “I thought he went around there really well, and it looked like he did everything the way he was supposed to.”
Shackleford, whose half-sister Lady Joanne won the Grade 1, 1¼-mile Alabama at Saratoga Race Course in 2007, will seek to become the 19th horse to complete the Preakness-Belmont double, a feat last accomplished by the 2005 3-year-old champion, Afleet Alex.Comment -
MONDAY JUNE 6, 2011
Animal Kingdom arrived at Belmont Park at approximately 7:30 a.m. (ET) June 5 to prepare for the June 11, $1 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park. The 3-year-old son of Leroidesanimaux , who won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and finished second in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) for trainer Graham Motion, walked the shedrow several times before being led to his stall in the barn of trainer David Donk.
According to the New York Racing Association communications office, the colt was scheduled to gallop on the main track later the morning of June 5 and will have his final pre-race workout on Monday, June 6.
“He looked great and shipped fine, cool as a cucumber as usual,” said David Rock, Motion’s assistant. “He is a very laid-back horse so we wouldn’t expect anything else, really. We are excited for the Belmont. You gotta be here. If you are doing good you’re here. Unfortunately we didn’t win the last one, but we’re looking forward to a rematch (with Shackleford) and there are some other real horses in the race as well.”
Owned by Team Valor International, Animal Kingdom is seeking to become just the 12th horse in history to complete the Derby-Belmont double, a feat last accomplished by Thunder Gulch (1995), Swale (1984), Bold Forbes (1976), Riva Ridge (1972), Chateaugay (1963), Needles (1956), Middleground (1950), Shut Out (1942), Johnstown (1939), Twenty Grand (1931), and Zev (1923) were the only others to win the first and last races in the Triple Crown.
The 1 1/2-mile Belmont, which will be run for the 143rd time as the oldest and longest leg of the series, will feature a rematch between Animal Kingdom and Preakness winner Shackleford. If both horses start, it will mark the 22nd time in the history of the Triple Crown that the Derby and Preakness winners have squared off in the Belmont.Comment -
MONDAY JINE 6, 2011
Prime Cut ...is he training up for the BELMONT STAKES or another Stakes Race ?
Courtlandt Farms’ Prime Cut turned in a 1:01.00 five-furlong breeze at Churchill Downs Monday morning, one day prior to his expected arrival at Belmont Park.
“It went very well and I’m pleased with how it went,” said trainer Neil Howard by telephone. “We were looking to hold steady with where he’s at right now. He’s fit and relatively fresh. It was a nice, workman-like breeze. He finished the final three-eighths very strongly, which is what you want to see.”
Prime Cut was second in the Grade 2 Lexington at Keeneland and third in the Grade 2 Peter Pan at Belmont.Comment -
MONDAY JUNE 6 2011
Belmont Stakes Post Position Draw Broadcast On MSG Streamed Live Online
Story by: Dan Silver
Source: NYRA.com
In addition to the coverage provided by the MSG television network, video of Wednesday’s post position draw for the 143rd running of the June 11, Grade 1 Belmont Stakes will be streamed live on BelmontStakes.com at the following link: http://www.belmontstakes.com/livestream/
The MSG broadcast, hosted by NYRA TV’s Jason Blewitt and with contributions from Eric Donovan, Richard Migliore, and Maggie Wolfendale, will run from 11-11:30 a.m. EDT. It will include interviews conducted by NYRA TV’s Andy Serling with connections of the Belmont Stakes contenders, and MSG Plus will replay the show at 1 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. (June 9).Comment -
TUESDAY JUNE 7, 2011
NY POST has story on Prime Cut heading to the Belmont Stakes....
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Haskin's Belmont Report: It's Macho That Worries Irwin, Not Shackleford
07 Jun 2011 5:47 PM Bloodhorse.com
If you’re going to play catch with Team Valor’s Barry Irwin, don’t assume if you lob the ball to him he’s going to lob it back to you.
New York Racing Association’s Andy Serling lobbed one to Irwin while emceeing Tuesday’s Belmont Stakes (gr. I) media luncheon, asking him if he’s concerned about the pace scenario, with Shackleford appearing to be the controlling speed in the mile and a half race.
But Irwin, who always speaks his mind, is never dull, and isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers, came back with a big sweeping curve.
“My horse has high cruising speed,” he replied innocently enough before firing his strike-out pitch. “I’m not worried about Shackleford. I’m worried about Mucho Macho Man. I think he’s the horse to beat.”
Shackleford’s trainer, Dale Romans, wasn’t about to let that snub go unanswered. When it was his turn to come up to the microphone, he fired back at Irwin.
“I’ll meet (Animal Kingdom) anywhere, any track, any distance,” Romans said. “That wasn’t the dumbest thing I’ve heard Barry say, but it’s one of them.”
As Irwin was being interviewed by the media after the proceedings, Romans stopped briefly, pointed to Irwin, and in his best Muhammed Ali impersonation, yelled “I want you!”
Irwin explained, “I think (Mucho Macho Man) is going to love a mile and a half. I thought he ran great in the Derby. He’s a big, growthy horse and he needs a big track. He’s the one that scares me the most. He’s obviously had his little unfortunate things along the way, but I’m impressed with that horse.
When the word controversy was brought up in regard to his Shackleford comment, Irwin said, “What’s so controversial about it? I just gave my opinion.”
Irwin went on to say that he doesn’t “see Shackleford going a mile and a half, being by Forestry.” He added, “It would stretch the limits of credulity.”
Romans has heard from several other rivals in the past few days how Shackleford can’t go a mile and a half.
“Every time I turn around, someone is knocking my horse,” he said, “I had to defend him today. I know I wouldn’t trade horses with any one of them.”
A short while later, Irwin and Romans posed for photos, with St. Patrick’s Cathedral as a backdrop. They then engaged in a friendly conversation, knowing they had added a little spice to the day’s lunch.
Anyone who doesn’t think Barry Irwin is great for racing must have is or her head in the sand. This sport needs people to say what they feel, and back it up, and not follow the same boring scripts that most follow. Irwin is the king of improvisation, and if there is something the sport needs, especially during the high-profiled Triple Crown, it is spontaneity.
In other Belmont news:
Brilliant Speed had the exact kind of work trainer Tom Albertrani was looking for. What was most impressive about the half-mile breeze in :50 3/5 was how the son of Dynaformer closed while on a very loose rein from exercise rider and assistant Dan Blacker, and the way he galloped out, getting another eighth in :13 flat.
Shortly after 3:30 this afternoon, the vans carrying Santiva and Prime Cut pulled into the Belmont Park backstretch.
Santiva looked as if he had just traveled around the block. He didn’t turn a hair, his coat was radiant, and he settled right in, taking a roll in his new bedding and then attacking his hay rack.
He is just as we remember him from his days before the Derby standing at the gap after the renovation break without moving a muscle. He is such a cool little horse. Nothing bothers him and he has a personality you can’t help but love.
His race in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) was deceptively good, and that will be discussed in greater detail as the week progresses.
The weather forecast now calls for temperatures in the mid to high 90s over the next couple of days, followed by a chance of thunderstorms Friday night and 60% chance of showers on Saturday. That will bring back the old handicapping in the slop section in our Friday column.Comment -
WEDNESDAY JUNE 8 2011 is the day of Post Position draw for the 143rd BELMONT STAKES...
Interesting race on Saturday.
These 3 years olds will be racing one and a half miles for the first time ...and to put icing on the cake, it could be an "off track".
The weather forecast now calls for temperatures in the mid to high 90s over the next couple of days, followed by a chance of thunderstorms Friday night and 60% chance of showers on Saturday.Comment -
IMO ...being tomorrow (Wednesday 6/8) is the Post Position draw, and the weather forecast will now play a major role in the race, I am looking at an upsetter........If Animal Kingdom does race, there connections will be focused on the horse that beat them to the wire in the Preakness..Shackleford.
1 1/2 mile race, post draw really doesnot matter, it is the trip and decisions made by the jockeys during the race that counts.
You now have a jockey switch on two entries. Stay Thirsty and Mucho Macho Man. Both of these jockeys are are on top of the jockey standings at Belmont's current meet. They know the track very well....Both horses are a must use.
Animal Kingdom with John V. has to race the race of his life to date in order to win and personnally I think Graham Motion is worried about the horse faultering.....But the Owners want to have him race....
Shackleford will get a very strong mile or mile and a furlong and start to shorten strides.
Mucho Macho Man is still a "two year old" until after June 14th. This boy is learning what it is all about and he is a big horse that needs a Big Track to race. Belmont fits him to a T.
So Saturday, lets see who leaves, who pushes the pace and who stalks....Muddy track will alter Animal Kingdom's race style from the commits made after the Preakness.
And BELMONT STAKES WEEK STARTS.Comment -
WEDNESDAY JUNE 8 2011
With a post time of 6:35 p.m. EDT, the Belmont Stakes will be the 11th of 13 races and will be telecast nationally on NBC beginning at 5 p.m., with coverage on VERSUS from 3-5 p.m. VERSUS will also carry post-race coverage from 7-7:30 p.m
NOTE: FIRST RACE POST TIME is 11:30 AM on Saturday 6-11-2011.Comment -
WEDNESDAY JUNE 11 2011
Here is a link to the 143rd Belmont Stakes Past Performances
Comment -
thanks for the pp post.good job. my picks for the belmont are: 1rst: mucho macho man,2nd:nehru,3rd: animal kingdom,4th: stay thirsty.
i will also bet stay thirsty win and place for my longshot special.
good luck everyone.Comment
