Looking forward to it. Of course, when it all comes down to it, the pre-Preakness antics of Shackleford, and the various interpretations of them, only illustrate that there are no hard and fast rules in this game. From my handy DRF pocket guide to wagering and winning:

Then again, they may be.
;)

Belmont Stakes probable starters:

Animal Kingdom Graham Motion 2nd - Preakness
Brilliant Speed Tom Albertrani 7th - Ky. Derby
Master of Hounds Aidan O'Brien 5th - Ky. Derby
Monzon Ignacio Correas IV 6th - Peter Pan
Mucho Macho Man Kathy Ritvo 6th - Preakness
Nehro Steve Asmussen 2nd - Ky. Derby
Prime Cut Neil Howard 3rd - Peter Pan
Ruler On Ice Kelly Breen 2nd - Federico Tesio
Santiva Eddie Kenneally 6th - Ky. Derby
Shackleford Dale Romans 1st - Preakness
Stay Thirsty Todd Pletcher 12th - Ky. Derby

Possibles:

Harlan’s Hello Doodnauth Shivmangal 1st - Op. claiming
Isn’t He Perfect Doodnauth Shivmangal 9th - Preakness

Not that I like him but isn't Twice the Appeal possible? Remember hearing Bonde was gonna send him since he will like the distance:confused:

He is not running in the Belmont.

no.....no since breakfast.

If my horse was healthy, especially in a year like this one, I'm going to the Belmont. It's the Belmont, what a cool race to win... it's not like passing the Belmont guarantees you a healthy and fast horse come Travers Day.

LOL. Check with Somer. Maybe Dr. Roman has one.

Wilko, you're right. Not only did I lose money on the horse, I also confuse the spelling of his name with that of the rock band's. Like the horse, also a one-hit wonder.

Animal Kingdom is confirmed to start in the Belmont Stakes - This according to HRTV just moments ago

Hooray! Here's hoping for a rubber match. I liked that Romans was quoted as saying to Motion he was hoping for a fun rivalry the rest of the year.

I like Animal Kingdom a lot, but if Shake Shack offers free custard again for a Shackleford victory- well, that's just a win-win for the racing fan.

Belmont Stakes probable starters:

Animal Kingdom Graham Motion 2nd - Preakness
Brilliant Speed Tom Albertrani 7th - Ky. Derby
Master of Hounds Aidan O'Brien 5th - Ky. Derby
Monzon Ignacio Correas IV 6th - Peter Pan
Mucho Macho Man Kathy Ritvo 6th - Preakness
Nehro Steve Asmussen 2nd - Ky. Derby
Prime Cut Neil Howard 3rd - Peter Pan
Ruler On Ice Kelly Breen 2nd - Federico Tesio
Santiva Eddie Kenneally 6th - Ky. Derby
Shackleford Dale Romans 1st - Preakness
Stay Thirsty Todd Pletcher 12th - Ky. Derby

Possibles:

Harlan’s Hello Doodnauth Shivmangal 1st - Op. claiming
Isn’t He Perfect Doodnauth Shivmangal 9th - Preakness

One would think the Animal Kingdom definite forces the hand of Shackleford... would hate to sit one out and lose 2/3's of the TC to someone in terms of year-end honors.

Shackleford's hand appears to need no forcing. Romans said Wednesday he's shipping him to Belmont in the next couple days..

This story seems to be in conflict with that -

http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-stak...ch-far-certain

There's no conflict. He's shipping to New York with the intention of running. He hasn't "committed", but if he was less than confident about running, he'd be keeping keep him at Churchill. Michael Lauffer was on ATR Wednesday and said that as well.

Not in conflict with him shipping, just going by what Romans was quoted as having said for the DRF article - maybe yes; maybe no.

Maybe it's the infusion of high drama to bolster interest in the race?!~

"May 27, 1823: A $20,000 match race between American Eclipse (representing The North) and Henry (representing The South) was held at Union Course, Long Island. Eclipse won in two-of-three heats, after his original jockey, William Crafts, was replaced by Samuel Purdy before the second heat. The race, witnessed by 60,000 spectators, was the first to have been timed by split-second chronometers, which were imported for the event." (from the NTRA)

And trainers are worried about running their horses 3 times in 5 weeks. :rolleyes:

It certainly happens, that a washed out horse does run good at times. But i would rather toss em most of the time.