Curlin to Test Belmont Filly
Distance and Rags to Riches Challenge Preakness Champ
A daughter of champion A.P. Indy, Rags to Riches, trained by thoroughbred racing's busiest and Eclipse Award winning mentor the past three seasons, Todd Pletcher, will challenge Curlin, a Smart Strike colt, June 9. Curlin bested Derby champ Street Sense last time out in the Preakness Stakes.
The 139th renewal of the Belmont Stakes is the setting, the 1-1/2 mile distance the main concern, for the third leg of the Triple Crown lineup. The race is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET today.
The distance-bred filly, Pletcher says, has achieved the ultimate goals in her class. In her last run, May 4, Rags to Riches scorched the Kentucky Oaks field, the equivalent of a Derby win.
She is just the 22nd filly to try the "Test of a Champion" distance of the Belmont Stakes. In 1996, My Flag finished third. In 1999, Silverdaybullet went seventh. The last female to win the Belmont was Tanya in 1905, and before her, only Ruthless (1867) has prevailed in this contest.
Pletcher's Gal Has It
Pletcher has good reason to believe his gal can shine some more. He's got five pounds. His filly carries 121 pounds to the 126 pounds assigned to the six boys who will rival her. At this distance, which no colt, or filly runs previously, five extra pounds can be a drag in the stretch. He's got a filly firing off a five week rest period. And he's got a distance female out of a great champion in A.P. Indy in a small field. Bring on the guys!
Hard Spun Will Lead
Larry Jones, trainer of Hard Spun, who finished second and third in the Derby and in the Preakness, respectively, thinks the big-muscled favorite, Curlin, might get muscle-fatigued in the long lane run. That would favor Hard Spun if Garrett Gomez can rate his mount to a slower pace than the colt normally prefers. Hard Spun likely will be the race's front runner.
Eight of nine recent Belmonts have seen the winner close well to take the race from the mile pole when on the lead, or within 2-1/2 lengths of the lead. In the shorter Preakness, Curlin showed a tremendous drive in the stretch. The Belmont has a much longer lane.
Tiago made a huge late move under veteran Mike Smith in the Santa Anita Derby in April to win. Smith has never ridden to victory in the Belmont.
Imawildandcrazyguy, C P West, and Slew's Tizzy are given little chance to make good on the distance.
Absent from the foray are the season's other big winners: Nobiz Like Shobiz (Wood Memorial); Chelokee (Michael Matz trained winner of the first running of the Preakness Stakes day undercard Barbaro Stakes); Great Hunter (Robert B. Lewis Stakes); and Street Sense (Derby champ).
Will it be predictability, or upset that rules the day?
