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Afleet Alex will likely go off favored in the Belmont
(Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com) |
AFLEET ALEX (Northern Afleet), who overcame near disaster at the top of the
stretch before powering his way to a 4 3/4-length victory in the Preakness S.
(G1), is an overwhelming 6-5 favorite on the morning line for Saturday's $1
million Belmont S. (G1). The 137th running of the 12-furlong classic drew 11
entries Wednesday morning, including Kentucky Derby (G1) winner GIACOMO (Holy
Bull), the 4-1 second choice on the morning line.
Jeremy Rose rides the favorite for trainer Tim Ritchey, who saddled the
Arkansas Derby (G2) hero to a third-place showing in the Kentucky Derby prior to
his dominant performance at Pimlico, and the duo will break from post 9 at
Belmont Park. Giacomo, who finished third in the Preakness following his
Kentucky Derby upset at 50-1, drew post 5 with Mike Smith. The Belmont, which is
known as the "Test of Champions," serves as a rubber match between the two
rivals.
ANDROMEDA'S HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus), the eighth-place finisher at Churchill
Downs and one of three entrants for conditioner Nick Zito, is the only other
horse from the first two legs of the Triple Crown to show up in the Belmont.
He's 15-1 on the morning line with jockey Rafael Bejarano. Zito, who garnered
his first Belmont trophy when upsetting Smarty Jones with Birdstone last year,
will also send out Sir Barton S. victor PINPOINT (Peaks and Valleys) and recent
allowance winner INDY STORM (A.P. Indy). Both are listed at 20-1.
Peter Pan S. (G2) runner-up REVERBERATE (Thunder Gulch) is the third choice
on the morning line at 6-1. Next comes Lone Star Derby (G3) winner
SOUTHERN AFRICA (Cape Town) and maiden winner CHEKHOV (Pulpit), who are both
posted at 12-1.
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