How much attention will the Belmont get?
 

I know it is a long shot but what if Street Sense, Curlin, Hard Spun and Rags to Riches run? How much attention does everyone think the race will get compared to a race where a horse is going for the Triple Crown? I know it wont be quite as much but you could possibly get the top three from the derby and preakness and the oaks winner. I can't wait to see how this could play out and it has the potential to be one of the greatest triple crown races on paper. Let's hope all the connections realize what is good for the sport and run their HEALTHY horses.

Yes, on paper that provides a interesting caveat, having the Derby and Preakness winners, along with Hard Spun and then the Oaks winner, trained by the Triple Crown drought trainer Todd Pletcher. It would be a small media interest level I'd say.

Unfortunately, the only draw the Belmont really has to the casual fans is if the Triple Crown is on the line, witness 150,000+ hanging out in the pouring rain for Funny Cide a few years ago. For the betting crowd, Belmont day provides a great betting undercard usually. If the TC is on the line, the fave is 2/5 or so (which is why Empire Maker at 2-1 that same year was a fantastic value). In years like last year with no clear favorite and no Derby or Preakness winner, there is oppourtunity abound.

It's just not a hyped up media story unless the TC is on the line.

I think that the addition of Rags could be a big story...

ALostTexan

If you want a BIG story how about this from Brisnet:
The 1 1/2-mile "Test of Champions" could also feature another of Pletcher's runners in Grade 1 hero CIRCULAR QUAY (Thunder Gulch), who ran sixth in the Kentucky Derby and improved one spot to be fifth in the Preakness S. (G1).

The chestnut colt, who had jockey John Velazquez aboard for the first two legs of the Triple Crown, is not completely out of consideration despite the fact that his regular rider is scheduled to pilot Slew's Tizzy (Tiznow) in the Belmont. Pletcher's other go-to jockey, Garrett Gomez, is also already committed to ride Hard Spun (Danzig), something which isn't fazing the Eclipse Award-winning trainer.

"All that means is that those guys can't wait around long enough for somebody to make a decision," Pletcher said. "If (Circular Quay) runs, we'll get somebody on him."

I agree with Suffolk. As intriguing and highly anticipated as the race would be for us, it would generate minimal interest in the general media.

That being said, I was surprised to see a front-page column in the sports section of the Sunday Palm Beach Post encouraging the connections of Street Sense to run in the Belmont, because how great it would be to see the top 3 of the Derby and Preakness back again.

--Dunbar

If the Big Three and Rags To Riches Runs.........88,000 Fans

If the "Big Three" Run............75,000 Fans

Two of the Big three and RTR Runs.........60,000

Just Two of the Big Three........*50,002


*Had to include the 2 extra because two years ago when there was not a chance for a triple crown I predicited that if there was more than 50,000 fans I would run down the street naked. Attn. 50,014 My friends gave me
a waiver because nobody really wanted to see that.

are you male or female?

j/k


hate to see a man running naked, but a female... that's another story!!\

thought the Pletcher quote was pretty interesting.....I can't blame either one of them for taking other mounts....

a little bitter there? he sounds like he is a bit.

just thought of something, who was rags' rider?

Believe me...you wouldn't wanna see him do that! :eek: LOL!

...just kidding Pat!

nafzger supposed to announce wednesday if street sense is running or not...and now sedgefield a possibility.

I think this years races are as exciting as when Silver Charm, Captain Bodgit and Free House were fighting it out. As I almost forgot Touch Gold spoiling it for Charm in the end. This is a good series of races if Street Sense comes around for round 3.