The Belmont Stakes-Sweetnorthernsaint to sit this out.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/75087.html ^ | June 1, 2006 | JAY PRIVMAN

[gate2wire]

It seems that Bob and John and Sweetnorthernsaint have been circling one another all spring, but only once have their paths crossed, and neither had much to show for it. Both disappointed in the Kentucky Derby, but then Sweetnorthernsaint went on to the Preakness Stakes, while Bob and John returned to California to await the final leg of the Triple Crown, the June 10 Belmont Stakes. On Wednesday, they continued on divergent paths. Sweetnorthernsaint was officially removed from consideration for the Belmont, meaning no 3-year-old will compete in all three legs of the Triple Crown this year. Bob and John, however, signaled his readiness for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont with a swift, best-of-the-morning drill at Santa Anita.

[gate2wire]

Belmont contenders

Horses pointing for the 138th Belmont at Belmont Park on June 10.

HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY LAST RACE

Bluegrass Cat T. Pletcher J. Velazquez 2nd, Ky. Derby

Bob and John B. Baffert G. Gomez 17th, Ky. Derby

Deputy Glitters T. Albertrani E. Prado 8th, Ky. Derby

Hemingway's Key N. Zito J. Rose 3rd, Preakness

High Finance R. Violette E. Coa 1st, Bel allowance

Jazil K. McLaughlin F. Jara 4th*, Ky. Derby

Oh So Awesome J. Jerkens M. Smith 3rd, Match the Hatch

Platinum Couple J. Lostritto J. Espinoza 6th, Preakness

Sacred Light D. Hofmans V. Espinoza 2nd, CD allowance

Steppenwolfer D. Peitz R. Albarado 3rd, Ky. Derby

Sunriver T. Pletcher R. Bejarano 1st, Peter Pan

Possible entrants

Cause to Believe J. Hollendorfer R. Baze 13th, Ky. Derby

[gate2wire]

Despite the injuries and defections, this is shaping up to be a great race.

PPs here...
http://www.drf.com/tc/belmont/2006/pps/06belmontprobs.pdf

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Perhaps...but Belmont can't be happy about losing the horses that the general public would be most aware of. Probably will hurt their attendance somewhat.

[gate2wire]

"Probably will hurt their attendance somewhat."
Sure it will, but the Belmont is still the Belmont.
Classic race for a Million bucks. The place will still be packed.
The Stakes' fields (six stakes races that day) will be full.

What happened is a shame, but life goes on. There's always another race.

[HairOfTheDog]

True enough... for the casual racing fan, this year's Belmont will be one to just sit down and get through. :~D

I'll be watching, because we have to get back on the horse :~D

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Indeed.

I used to attend The Belmont Stakes every year.

[gate2wire]

I got "back on the horse" the next day. :-)

[gate2wire]

Have been to Belmont for the Breeders Cup but not the Belmont. One of these years.

[the OlLine Rebel]

What is it with even the "expert" racing press (last example: this week's "Wire to Wire") telling us this is the 1st time in 31(?) years neither the Derby nore Preak winner will show in the Belmont?

Can anyone say, "2000"? Isn't that 6 years? Who does the math for these guys?

[HairOfTheDog]

I don't think you are just a 'casual racing fan'. You have to get back on when you've got emotions or money invested in it.

I'm invested in horses, and appreciate horse racing for it's terrific contribution to other horse sport.

Those with nothing to win or lose in horses are harder to talk back on to the horse. The casual viewership will be down this year, the TV people will be talking about the losses and what might have been. It'll be a bittersweet finish to the only horse racing 'season' the TV audience really knows.

I will appreciate your insight and background into the field that will be racing. It's their stories, their particulars, that pique my interest on race day.

[HairOfTheDog]

Short attention spans :~)

[gate2wire]

"Can anyone say, "2000"? Isn't that 6 years?"

You got it.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Belmont Stakes on June 10th. US Open golf at Winged Foot the week after. And the Mets and Yankees in first.

June looks like to be an interesting sports month in NY

[angkor]

Thanks for ping and the link.

Beyer commented a few weeks back that they need to increase to Triple Crown purses to something more attractive. By gosh, even the Belmont Metropolitan on Monday was $600K.

Anyway, I'll be watching Belmont all day.

[gate2wire]

"...the TV people will be talking about the losses and what might have been."

It would be great if they stopped showing the footage every five minutes.

[angkor]

By the way, Belmont has an interesting 2006 Yearbook for the Stakes here, free PDF download:

http://www.nyra.com/Belmont/mediaguide.asp?track=B

[gate2wire]

Did you see the fractions of the Met mile? :44 and 4, 1:08 and 4. Whew.

$48 exacta. Not bad. :-)

[angkor]

he casual viewership will be down this year, the TV people will be talking about the losses and what might have been.

Don't flame me for this, I realize it sounds cynical:

"There is no such thing as bad publicity."

Barbaro's tragic injury brought the Triple Crown to front newspaper pages, TV "top stories", and a week of coverage that wouldn't normally have happened (the media loves bad news).

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see viewership and attendance increase for the Stakes.

[HairOfTheDog]

Yes, we've all seen it. Some new images from the hospital would be good. Then, please, focus on the horses that are competing.

[HairOfTheDog]

Maybe, but the Belmont is always front page news ~when~ there's a Triple Crown hopeful, less so when there isn't. Maybe there will be people watching just to see updates on Barbaro.

I still feel bad for the owners and jockey of "Sweetnorthernsaint" He won a dream race for them, and no one cared.