Kentucky Derby (G1) winner and Preakness (G1) runner-up ANIMAL KINGDOM
“We just made the decision that he will be coming to the Belmont,” said
“He will probably come to Belmont Park the week leading up to race, depending
Animal Kingdom, a 2 3/4-length winner of the Kentucky Derby under jockey John
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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.
Animal Kingdom just made the Derby field by capturing the Spiral S. (G3) at
Turfway Park in his stakes debut one race prior to the Run for the Roses. Making
his first start on conventional dirt track in the Kentucky Derby, the chestnut
has thus far earned $1,938,700 for Team Valor International and is 3-3-0 in six
lifetime starts.
The 1 1/2-mile Belmont, which will be run for the 143rd time as the oldest
A final decision on the Belmont participation of Shackleford will come after
Trainer Dale Romans said he’d firm the colt’s travel plans to New
“It looks like he’ll leave here for Belmont on Saturday or Sunday and
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Among others under consideration for the Belmont, which has a maximum field
of 16, are Peter Pan S. (G2) winner ALTERNATION (Distorted Humor); Blue Grass S.
(G1) hero BRILLIANT SPEED (Dynaformer), seventh last out in the Kentucky Derby;
HARLAN’S HELLO (Harlan’s Holiday), winner of a May 13 optional claimer at
Belmont; ISN’T HE PERFECT (Pleasantly Perfect), ninth in the Preakness; Group
1-placed and U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) nose runner-up MASTER OF HOUNDS (Kingmambo),
fifth in the Derby; Risen S. (G2) victor MUCHO MACHO MAN (Macho Uno), third in
the Kentucky Derby and sixth in the Preakness; Count Fleet S. winner and Peter
Pan sixth MONZON (Thunder Gulch); Kentucky Derby runner-up NEHRO (Mineshaft);
PRIME CUT (Bernstein), third in the Peter Pan and second in the Lexington S.
(G3); Sunland Derby (G3) third and Federico Tesio S. second RULER ON ICE (Roman
Ruler); Grade 2 scorer SANTIVA (Giant’s Causeway), sixth in the Kentucky Derby;
and Gotham S. (G3) winner STAY THIRSTY (Bernardini), 12th in the Derby.
Trainer Bob Baffert may send AWESOME PATRIOT (Awesome Again) or UNCLE SAM
(Tapit), the respective first two finishers in Hollywood Park’s May 8 Alydar S.,
to the race.
In other Belmont news:
Romans couldn’t help but chuckle when he received a text
message from a friend that included a picture of a congratulatory sign
outside his alma mater, Butler High School, which is located just 3 1/2 miles
from Churchill Downs in the south end of Louisville. The sign read: Dale Romans:
Preakness Winner, Butler Grad.
“For four years, all they did was to try and kick
me out,” Romans said. “Now that I’ve won the Preakness with Shackleford,
they’ve got open arms and they’re showing me love!”
Two podcasts featuring Kathy Ritvo, trainer of Mucho Macho Man, and Doodnauth Shivmangal, conditioner of Isn’t
He Perfect
and Harlan’s Hello, are now available at
belmontstakes.com.
Three events celebrating the Belmont S. (G1), the third jewel of the
Triple Crown, are slated for the coming weeks in New York. Beginning in
Elmont with the Belmont Stakes Parade on June 4, the festivities will culminate
in Belmont festivals in Floral Park and Garden City on June 10, the eve of the
143rd running of the “Test of the Champion.”
The third annual Belmont Stakes
Parade will begin at the Elmont Library at 10:30 a.m. (EDT) and will end at
Belmont Park at 11:30 a.m. Elmont Memorial and Sewanhaka High School students
will serve as grand marshals of the parade, which will include law enforcement
and military personnel, school bands, cheerleaders, scout troops, clubs,
community leaders and fire officials.
Community Day in the Marquee tent at Belmont Park will follow the parade and
will include food, games and entertainment. Additionally, the Cradle of Aviation
Museum will display a plane for kids to explore, and Elmont residents will
receive a voucher from the New York Racing Association (NYRA) for a free hot dog
and drink, as well as gain access to the Belmont clubhouse and grandstand.
The Floral Park Belmont Festival will take place on
Tulip Avenue from 5-10 p.m., featuring three live bands, traditional Irish dance
performances and various acts through the evening. Festival goers can also enter
a raffle to win prizes while getting a taste of Floral Park as restaurants line the streets to offer culinary samples.
The Garden City Belmont
Festival is scheduled from 6-10 p.m. on 7th Street and will include dance
groups, live music, family-friendly activities and a “Wing Off” competition.
The
general public will judge the “Wing Off” competition as any passerby can get in on the
action for a minimum donation of $5, which includes a plate of wings and a
ballot. All proceeds benefit Operation Wounded Warrior, which provides needed
items for injured military personnel.
Also, Garden City children can take part
in a poster contest by submitting images of Thoroughbred racing by June 1 at 5
p.m. at Sunflower Fine Art Galleries.
For more information on the Belmont Stakes
Parade and Belmont Festivals, please visit
nyra.com.
Racing fans can now enter a drawing to win a prize package for two that
includes airfare, hotel accommodations and premium tickets for the Belmont
Stakes. Contestants can enter at
www.BelmontStakes.com/contest.aspx. Deadline for entry is Wednesday at 5
p.m.