Posted on 6/4/2007 3:35:00 PM

Bet The Belmont Stakes - THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE

By Brian Mulligan

It’s been referred to as the Test of Champions and it really is the ultimate challenge. Of course are talking about the grueling one and a half miles of the Belmont Stakes.

 

By the time the strong get to New York 3 this week, and only a few will be suited up for the big match, it becomes evident that only the fittest survive. One thing fans have to understand is that these horses are not machines, that there is blood running through those veins and not just octane. And just like when something freaky happens on the track, like a horse that breaks down and causes a spill, it has a mental as well as physical response.

Face it; racehorses are very special athletes. They have tiny ankles that must carry flesh of 1,000 pounds or more at speeds of over 40 miles per hour and cover a distance of ground. During the grueling spring, these animals are pushed to win three races in five weeks while shipping to different locales in the process.

Make no mistake about it; the Belmont Stakes at a mile and a half is not an easy race to win. Thirty horses have come to the event with a chance to win the Triple Crown; we are still searching for the 12th TC winner.

In recent years, the race has been won in a variety of ways. Last year Jazil came from dead last to win a watered-down version of the Belmont. Afleet Alex made the final start of his career in the 2005 Belmont renewal when he also came from dead last to draw away to win by 7 with a 106 Beyer rating.

The year prior, Birdstone squashed Smarty Jones bid to become a Triple Crown winner by coming from 7th early, but he was fairly close to the lead that day. He nailed Smarty by a length with a 101 Beyer.

Empire Maker got a perfect 3-hole trip in the 2003 running to thwart Funny Cide, while posting a 110 figure. Those that had the 2002 winner will be telling their grand children for years as Sarava paid 70-1 under Edgar Prado coming from mid pack. In the previous year, Point Given got a journey very similar to the trip Empire Maker got when only a couple of lengths off the pace early before winning by over a dozen lengths with a 114 Beyer figure.

For riders, it’s just as hard to win this classic. Check out this who’s who list of those that have had a tough time in the third Triple Crown Jewel. The deceased Chris Antley lost this race five times and with good horses like Charismatic and Strike Gold.

 

Jerry Bailey had 19 Belmont Stakes mounts, two won. Jorge Chavez lost this race nine times and Hall of Fame rider, Angel Cordero Jr., who had the cream of the crop in his racing days in New York, only won this race once in 20 tries.

Jose Santos rode in this race 13 times, and only Lemon Drop Kid brought him home on top. Ruffian’s rider, Jacinto Vasquez, had ten Belmont mounts, all of them lost. The legendary Jorge Velasquez and current star Johnny Velazquez lost this race 21 times between them.

And it doesn’t stop there. Johnny Campo, who trained classic winner Pleasant Colony, lost this race ten times. Genuine Risk’s trainer Leroy Jolly met the same fate. And New York’s favorite son, Nick Zito, only has one Belmont winner from 11 starters.

When talking training success, it begins and ends with Woody Stephens. What he did in this race will never be matched again. He won the Third Jewel five straight years from 1982 to 1986 and even trained the exacta in 1985 when Creame Fraiche finished just ahead of Stephen’s Odyssey.

Finally, look at this race with a logical overall view. Don’t get sappy about the star potential of Curlin or the subplots that will emerge. Try to evaluate pace, visualize how the race is going to set up, and make an intelligent decision.

Later in the week, after the draw, we’ll go over possible pace scenarios.

Keep checking the Locker Room all through the Triple Crown season, as we will cover the trainers, horses and jockeys in each race. You can get your early Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park bets in now in the BetUS sportsbook in the Future / props section, under Horse Futures: 2007 Belmont Stakes.