Plenty has happened during the last couple of days in regards to the Belmont Stakes (gr. I); including workouts, a near-accident, and the creation of a "Belmont Stakes detention barn."
Let's begin with the events of May 31st. First off, Alpha -- winner of the Withers Stakes (gr. III) and runner-up in the Wood Memorial (gr. I) this spring -- dropped out of the Belmont after spiking a fever a few days prior. He is now fine, but his trainer Kiaran McLaughlin rightly decided that it would be wise to skip the race.
Then came what was nearly a disaster for the entire race. I'll Have Another, who will enter the Belmont with an opportunity to win the Triple Crown, was involved in a near-accident when a loose horse nearly ran into the Derby/Preakness winner. A detailed article on the subject, including a slideshow of pictures, can be found at DRF.com: http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-stakes-notes-close-call-ill-have-another-alpha-out
The only thing that really went right on Thursday was the workout turned in by Optimizer, who went five furlongs in a solid 1:00 3/5 at Churchill Downs. He is scheduled to ship to Belmont on Tuesday.
On June 1st, a separate training period for Belmont Stakes contenders was set aside at Belmont in an effort to keep another near-accident from occurring. Leading the trainees was, of couse, I'll Have Another, who galloped a mile in excellent fashion -- without incident, fortunately. Also training during the special session was Five Sixteen, who breezed five-eighths in 1:00.95 alongside stablemate Live for Today. With Rosie Napravnik in the saddle, Five Sixteen did not begin his work particularly quick, but finished up in very strong fashion.
Today's training at Belmont Park was hindered by rain, which left the track in very sloppy condition. Several contenders, including Dullahan and Street Life, were scheduled to breeze, but had their workouts postponed until tomorrow, when conditions are expected to be better. So the only training done this morning were the usual series of gallops, led by I'll Have Another, who looked good yet again.
***
So that's what's been going on in terms of training. But perhaps the biggest news of the week was the announcement that all Belmont Stakes contenders will be required to enter a detention barn on the Wednesday before the race, where they will be watched by numerous security guards employing top-notch security methods to make sure that nothing goes amiss in the days before the race.
A highly detailed and informative article on the subject can be found on Bloodhorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/70172/stakes-barn-to-be-used-for-belmont-horses
Fortunately, one non-Belmont stakes contender will be allowed to enter the detention barn, that being I'll Have Another's constant companion Lava Man. It had appeared possible for a couple of days that I'll Have Another would be forced to enter the new barn without his pony, but luckily, this will not be the case.
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I find it somewhat hard to believe that only three graded stakes winners are pointing toward the Belmont Stakes. It appears that while I'll Have Another has scared away many of the best colts of the generation, he has been unable to scare away the numerous longshots taking a shot at the race.
So anyway, the three graded stakes winners pointing toward the race are I'll Have Another, Union Rags, and Dullahan. Between them, they have won the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), Preakness Stakes (gr. I), Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), Breeders' Futurity (gr. I), Champagne Stakes (gr. I), Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II), Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), and Saratoga Special Stakes (gr. II).
Now, here are a few interesting facts I dug up this morning . . .
1. The last horse to win the Blue Grass Stakes and Belmont Stakes was Riva Ridge in 1972.
2. The last horse to win the Champagne Stakes and Belmont Stakes was Birdstone in 2004.
3. The last horse to win the Fountain of Youth Stakes and Belmont Stakes was Thunder Gulch in 1995.
4. The last horse to win the Santa Anita Derby and Belmont Stakes was Point Given in 2001.
5. The last horse to win the Breeders' Futurity and Belmont Stakes was Swale in 1984.
6. The last horse to win the Saratoga Special and Belmont Stakes was Swale in 1984.
7. The last horse to win the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes was Thunder Gulch in 1995.
8. The last horse to win the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes was Afleet Alex in 2005.
9. No horse have ever won the Robert B. Lewis Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
So as we can see, Dullahan is kind of up against history in trying to sweep the Blue Grass/Belmont double. To be exact, he is up against forty years of history. On the other hand, no horse ever has swept the Robert B. Lewis/Belmont double . . .
-Keelerman
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