After the Derby, all bets are off. Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

The morning after the second-most stunning upset in the 131 years of the Kentucky Derby, some still-shocked sportswriters gathered at the barn of Wayne Lukas to ask the master to explain it all.Lukas is a four-time Derby winner, the closest thing we have to Yoda on this annual Triple Crown voyage, but handicap Giacomo as a contender, he did not."I had a huge superfecta ticket and I didn't even have those first two at all on it," Lukas said of the wacky 1-2 finish of 50-1 Giacomo and 71-1 Closing Argument. "To me it will do a couple of things. No. 1, everybody that's got a 3-year-old that's alive and well and has got a heartbeat will be looking at the Derby next year. And you can rest assured that we will never have less than 20 in, because these kind of things just fuel that fire. There might even be a cry for running 24."Lukas could accelerate his prediction by 11 1/2 months and apply it to Saturday's Preakness. Giacomo has thrown so little panic into his rivals that if the Pimlico starting gate could accommodate more than 14, people would be showing up with stable ponies and carousel horses to take a shot at him. High Limit, who was dead last in the Derby, will be in the Preakness field. Golden Man's people are willing to put up an extra $100,000 for the honor of beating him.Giacomo has every chance of being the longest-priced Derby winner in the Preakness since 1953, when Dark Star upset Native Dancer by a head in the Derby and paid $51.80, only to go off in the Preakness at 11-1. Dark Star finished fifth in the Preakness, won by odds-on favorite Native Dancer.It's not unusual for Derby winners to not go off as the betting choice in the second leg of the Triple Crown. In fact, in four of the last eight runnings of the Preakness, the Derby winner was not favored. It is worth noting that three of those ignored Derby winners did win the second jewel and went on to the Belmont for a chance at the Triple Crown: Silver Charm was the third choice in the 1997 Preakness after Captain Bodgit and Free House. Real Quiet (1998) was the second choice behind Victory Gallop. Charismatic (trained by none other than Lukas) garnered no respect in the 1999 Preakness, going off as the fifth choice in the wagering at 8-1.Giacomo is not likely to go off at Dark Star double-digit odds. The beaten Derby favorite, Bellamy Road, is injured and will miss the race. Another reason is that souvenir hunters and eBayers will buy $2 win tickets on Giacomo, just in case. It would be no surprise, though, if he is second or even third choice.And given that Visa will end its $5 million Triple Crown bonus and series sponsorship program after this year, ah, wouldn't it serve them right if Giacomo forced them to pay up? After that improbable Derby, don't bet against it.ALEX-AID: Alex's Lemonade Stand, the children's cancer charity that is partners with the owners of Derby third-place finisher Afleet Alex (the likely Preakness fave), raised $11,000 at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. Liz Scott, whose late 8-year-old daughter Alex founded the charity, has been invited to both the Preakness and Belmont to continue fund-raising and awareness efforts.RACE OF THE WEEK: Aside from the obvious Preakness, on Friday the $500,000 (Grade I) Pimlico Special is expected to feature the overdue 2005 debut of 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide. Unless, of course, it's too hot, or it rains, or if jockey Jose Santos has too hearty a breakfast that morning.

Full Field Looms For 130th Preakness Stakes Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Fourteen horses, the absolute limit, have not started in the Preakness Stakes® since 1992, but as events continue to unfold, it appears the starting gate will be filled to capacity on Saturday May 21st for the middle jewel of racings Triple Crown. This morning the connections of another new shooter contacted stakes coordinator Wendy Pensivy. Galloping Grocer, a New York-bred runner who peaked interest with three straight victories as a 2-year-old and a third in
the Gotham Stakes this spring, will be entered when post positions are drawn at the ESPN Zone on Wednesday.The top seven are determined by graded earnings, the next four by earnings minus restricted races with the final three spots determined by overall earnings. Here’s how it stands with the 16 horses still under consideration for the middle jewel: TOP SEVEN (GRADED EARNINGS)1---Giacomo, $1,823,9002---Afleet Alex, $1,445,0003---Wilko, $1,004,5154---High Fly, $796,5005---Closing Argument, $565,0006---High Limit, $510,0007---Sun King, $402,500 NEXT FOUR (EARNINGS MINUS RESTRICTED RACES)8---Greeley’s Galaxy, $358,4809---Scrappy T, $279,12010—Noble Causeway, $245,78011—Going Wild, $229,670 FINAL THREE (TOTAL EARNINGS)12—Galloping Grocer, $222,10813—Malibu Moonshine, $190,28014—Hal’s Image, $126,820 OUTSIDE15—Golden Man, $59,10016—A.P. Arrow, $8,800 The first horse on the grounds for the Preakness was one of the first on the track this morning. At 6:15 a.m., Afleet Alex jogged a mile and a half, stood and then galloped a mile and a half with exercise rider Salamon Diego. “It’s quiet at this barn right now,” said the colt’s trainer Tim Ritchey. “He can get acclimated to the atmosphere of the barn without all the media or other horses. I think he’ll have a little bit of an advantage, training over the track for an extra few days. Every track is a little different, so the sooner you get to the track you are going to run over I think has to help. “Afleet Alex takes everything in stride. Marciano (7th, 2001 Preakness) was a little bit hyper all the time. This horse, you can do whatever with him. He doesn’t care. He usually poses when he hears the cameras, so he’s kind of a ham that way. “He tells me, more or less, how to train him. I just have to read his body language. He’s got enough tactical speed so we can be flexible in where he needs to be. He can do just about anything. Through his training, we’ve strived to make him pliable, so that he’ll relax. He does that very well. He has the type of style that can win a Preakness.” Last night’s release contained an error. Ritchey’s birthday is May 27, not May 21. (The Maryland Jockey Club regrets the error.) “Close enough,” joked Ritchey. “A win in the Preakness would be a great birthday present.” The conditioner will have his star, who was purchased for $75,000 at the Timonium sale after the 2003 Preakness by Cash Is King Stable LLC, on the track at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. Ritchey is unsure when he’ll begin his two-a-day routine with the likely Preakness favorite. John Shirreffs, who conditions Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo, checked in this afternoon with the media relations staff at Pimlico. Over the phone Shirreffs said, “We had a basic gallop this morning. He is really recovering well from the Derby. His coat looks great and he is eating well.” The Southern California-based trainer who is still in awe after saddling the Derby winner, added, “I went and picked up his papers from the Churchill racing office this morning and on the back it said “Kentucky Derby”. It is really quite a feeling.” As the Preakness field continues to expand, the trainer said, “Racing is very competitive and the Preakness is one of the most important races in our sport. If I were them, I’d take a shot, go to the gate and run.” Giacomo will ship to Pimlico on one of the Sutton shuttles on Wednesday. Shirreffs, his wife Dottie and the colt’s owners, Ann and Jerry Moss, will be at the draw that evening. Warren Stute (Greeley’s Galaxy) was also was in contact with Pimlico staffers today. The Illinois Derby winner will be arriving at Pimlico on Wednesday. He said, “Everything looks fine. There have been no surprises, which is a good thing. We’re looking forward to redeeming ourselves in the Preakness. Mr. Hughes (owner) is confident in his horse. “Right now we don’t have a set rider. Kent (Desormeaux) is riding a multi-million dollar race in Japan, so he’ll be unavailable for the Preakness. We should have a jockey lined up in the next day or so.” Jose Santos has picked up the mount on Unbridled Stakes winner Hal’s Image. Trainer Barry Rose said, “Jose rode him two races back (in an Aqueduct allowance) and liked him a lot. Since Jose was coming in for the Pimlico Special (to ride Funny Cide), I approached him about riding Hal’s Image in the Preakness. He was happy to accept the mount. “Everything’s on target. We’ll work him on Saturday (at Calder) and he’ll leave via van on Tuesday.” Withers winner Scrappy T will be the second Preakness starter at the Pimlico stakes barn when the Robbie Bailes trainee ships Sunday. Bailes, who is based at the Bowie Training Center, has connections to the famed Triple Crown. His father, Mert, trained in Maryland for years but was a native Virginian who was the farm trainer for the Meadow Stud, and broke and trained both Riva Ridge and Secretariat. Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel has reserved a spot on one of the Wednesday flights from Louisville for Louisiana Derby winner High Limit. King Leatherbury reports multiple stakes winner Malibu Moonshine will work at Laurel Park Saturday.

Bellamy Road out of Preakness with injury Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Bellamy Road, the beaten Kentucky Derby favorite owned by Yankees boss George Steinbrenner, is off the Triple Crown trail with a minor injury to his left front leg.The injury was discovered Tuesday at Churchill Downs, and will keep Bellamy Road out of training for the next month, trainer Nick Zito told the Web sites of The Daily Racing Form and The Blood-Horse.Zito, who was in Kentucky on Tuesday, did not immediately return telephone calls for comment. His assistant, Tim Poole, confirmed the injury.Bellamy Road, who finished seventh behind long-shot winner Giacomo in Saturday's Derby, was under consideration for the Preakness on May 21 before the injury.The Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown races, is June 11.The injury is in the area behind the knee, and is caused by too much stress on a bone that results in its outer covering becoming inflamed. In racing parlance, it's called "popping a splint.""The bad news is he popped a splint," Zito said. "The good news is the X-rays are clean otherwise, there's no fractures so he'll be back for the big races this summer."Bellamy Road, who won the Wood Memorial by 171/2 lengths and matched a 32-year-old track record, may have been developing the problem going into the Derby, Zito said. He added that it probably was aggravated during the race."There's no doubt you will see the real Bellamy Road again," Zito said.Zito sent out five horses in the Derby. He said Andromeda's Hero will likely run next in the Belmont, but High Fly, Noble Causeway and Sun King remained possibilities for the Preakness.

Last train to Derby leaves station today Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

The Lexington Stakes, the last major prep race for the Kentucky Derby, is also the last chance for some prominent horses and trainers to earn a spot in the first part of the Triple Crown.Rockport Harbor must win the race today at Keeneland, trainer John Servis said. Bob Baffert needs Sort It Out to win to return Baffert to the May 7 Derby after a one-year absence.D. Wayne Lukas believes Going Wild will bounce back from a last-place finish in the Wood Memorial two weeks ago. Lukas also has entered lightly raced Skye'n Thunder.Todd Pletcher, with Blue Grass Stakes champion Bandini and Arkansas Derby runner-up Flower Alley already headed for the Derby, will saddle Coin Silver.The $325,000 Grade II Lexington -- run at 1 1/16th miles -- is important not only for conditioning and confidence but also for compiling graded-stakes earnings. If more than 20 horses enter the Derby, horses with the highest graded-stakes earnings receive preference.The Lexington winner will receive $201,500, with $65,000 going to the second-place finisher and $32,500, $16,250 and $9,750 going to the third- through fifth-place finishers.Six of the race's eight horses -- Actxecutive, Going Wild, Coin Silver, Sky'n Thunder, Forever Wild, and Sort It Out -- are outside of the top 20. Sort It Out, Coin Silver, and Sky'n Thunder have no graded-stakes earnings."It's a little bit of a reality check whether or not you're good," said trainer Dallas Stewart, who will saddle Storm Surge in the race, "because we all have the aspirations of running in the Kentucky Derby."Lukas has fared well in the Lexington in recent years. In 1999, he won with Charismatic, who went on to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.In 2002, Lukas saddled Proud Citizen, who won the Lexington and was second in the Derby. In 2003, Lukas' Scrimshaw won the Lexington to make the Derby field.

Derby countdown Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Each week leading up to the Kentucky Derby May 7, the Globe's Ron Indrisano will preview the top 10 contenders:
ADVERTISEMENT
document.write('');

1. Sweet Catomine -- The 2-year-old filly champion was an easy winner of the Santa Anita Oaks. She has no more to prove against fillies, and if she defeats males in the Santa Anita Derby, she could join Regret, Genuine Risk, and Winning Colors as a female Kentucky Derby winner. It would make a great story. Next: Santa Anita Derby, April 9.
2. Sun King -- He took a stroll in the park winning the Tampa Bay Derby. Trainer Nick Zito believes Sun King could be exceptional. If he wins the Blue Grass, he can be considered the best of the colts. Next: Blue Grass at Keeneland, April 16.
3. Greater Good -- He has won both the Southwest and Rebel with closing moves. He may be underrated, but he will be considered a major player if he runs well in the Arkansas Derby. Next: Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, April 16.
4. Consolidator -- He dominated the San Felipe, winning in a fast time. His performances have been in and out, but he is very dangerous. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas is leaning toward the Blue Grass at Keeneland, where Consolidator won the Breeders' Futurity last year, but has not ruled out the Santa Anita Derby. Next: Blue Grass or Santa Anita Derby.
5. Survivalist -- He is beautifully bred and in top hands. He can close ground and must be respected under the training of Shug McGaughey. Next: Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, April 9.
6. High Limit -- He won the Louisiana Derby in front-running fashion, and is undefeated at 3 for 3. He is a speed horse being developed by Bobby Frankel, who relishes early speed. Next: Blue Grass.
7. High Fly -- He looked good winning the Fountain of Youth, and is heavily favored for the Florida Derby after overcoming a recent fever. If he gets the job done tomorrow, he'll move up the list. Next: Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
8. Rockport Harbor -- He continues to battle a severe cut on his right rear foot after finishing second in the Rebel in his 3-year-old debut. Trainer John Servis still believes the talented colt, who is ridden by Stewart Elliott, will be ready for the Arkansas Derby. Next: Arkansas Derby.
9. Afleet Alex -- He ran last at 3-5 in the Rebel while suffering a lung infection. He has recovered but has been set back in his training. Trainer Tim Ritchey wants him to go in the Arkansas Derby, but he may have to settle for the Lexington at Keeneland, the last train out of the station on the Kentucky Derby trail. Next: Arkansas Derby or Lexington, April 23.
10. Bandini -- He ran second in the Fountain of Youth, and was being pointed for the Florida Derby. However, trainer Todd Pletcher did not enter him, saying, "He's not sick, but he's not 100 percent, either." Pletcher declined to say what was wrong, but it may be a minor foot problem. "He's going to be fine," said Pletcher. Next: Wood Memorial or Blue Grass.

Injured Declan's Moon off Kentucky Derby trail Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

The path to the Kentucky Derby took a few unexpected twists and turns during the weekend: High Limit soared into contention by winning the Louisiana Derby, and top prospect Declan's Moon dropped out with a slight knee fracture.
"It's still early to get excited," trainer Bobby Frankel said the day before High Limit won Saturday's Louisiana Derby in his first race in more than four months. "Strawberries today, jam tomorrow."
But Frankel was pretty pumped up after he got his first look at High Limit in action. Now 3-for-3, the three-year-old colt won his first two races for trainer Tony Dutrow last October before owners Gary and Mary West sent High Limit to Frankel's barn.
High Limit moves into this week's Run to the Roses Top 10 at No. 4. Meanwhile, undefeated Declan's Moon will be sidelined about five months, trainer Ron Ellis said. The two-year-old champion, No. 2 last week, was injured after winning the Santa Catalina Stakes on March 5.
Advertisements



Also moving onto the Derby trail is Bellamy Road, yet another colt from Nick Zito's barn, this one owned by Yankees boss George Steinbrenner. Bellamy Road won an allowance race at Gulfstream Park by a whopping 153/4 lengths Saturday, and his next start is likely the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 9. Zito's other Derby hopefuls include No. 3 High Fly, No. 7 Sun King, Noble Causeway and Andromeda's Hero.
Sweet Catomine continued her domination of fillies Sunday by winning the Santa Anita Oaks, and now is likely to challenge the boys in the Santa Anita Derby on April 9. A strong showing in that race, and the two-year-old champion filly might have a chance to become just the fourth filly to win the Kentucky Derby.
Coming up this weekend is a full slate of Derby preps, topped by the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita and the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion Wilko takes on the likes of Roman Ruler, Consolidator, Don't Get Mad, Giacomo and Golden Shine in the 1 1-16th-mile San Felipe, while unbeaten Rockport Harbor is set to take on top-ranked Afleet Alex in the 1 1-16th-mile Rebel.
Rockport Harbor was flavouring his right rear leg Saturday — the same leg that was gashed during the Remsen Stakes in November and needed six weeks to heal. Trainer John Servis said "instead of being 75 to 80 per cent for the Rebel, Rocky will be maybe 65 to 70 percent."
Also, Galloping Grocer is scheduled to run in the one-mile Gotham at Aqueduct, and Sun King should be the favourite for the 1 1-16th-mile Tampa Bay Derby.
———
This week's top 10, with updated Derby future wager odds through Sunday:
1. Afleet Alex (Tim Ritchey, trainer; John Velazquez, jockey): Velazquez ready for first trip aboard son of Northern Afleet ... Winner in five of seven starts, with two seconds, for earnings of $710,800 ... Next start: Rebel ... Odds: 8-1.
2. Rockport Harbor (John Servis, Stewart Elliott): Hopefully set for three-year-old debut after winning all four starts last year ... Worked five furlongs in 1:02.80 at Oaklawn on Friday, but right rear leg problem could be factor ... Next start: Rebel ... Odds: 14-1.
3. High Fly (Nick Zito, Jerry Bailey): Fountain of Youth winner has four victories in five starts ... Training solidly for final prep ... Next start: Florida Derby (April 2) ... Odds: 21-1.
4. High Limit (Bobby Frankel, Ramon Dominguez): Won 1 1-16th-mile Louisiana Derby by four lengths in near stakes record time ... Won despite 138 days between races ... Next start: Wood Memorial (April 9) or Blue Grass (April 16) ... Odds: 9-1.
5. Sweet Catomine (Julio Canani, Corey Nakatani): Cruised to victory in Sunday's Santa Anita Oaks ... Next test may be against boys ... Only three fillies have won Kentucky Derby; Winning Colors in 1988 was the last ... Next start: Santa Anita Derby (April 9) ... Odds: 16-1.
6. Roman Ruler (Bob Baffert, Bailey): Passed on Gotham in favour of staying at Santa Anita for 3-year-old debut ... Last race was BC Juvenile on Oct. 30 — he was fifth ... Worked a mile in 1:38.60 last week ... Next start: San Felipe ... Odds: 18-1.
7. Sun King (Zito, Edgar Prado): Won allowance by 53/4 lengths at Gulfstream on Feb. 26 ... Tuned up for next race with five-furlong work in 59.49 at Palm Meadows ... Next start: Tampa Bay Derby ... Odds: 10-1.
8. Wilko (Craig Dollase, Nakatani): BC Juvenile winner worked seven furlongs in 1:28 at Hollywood Park on Saturday ... A solid third in Hollywood Futurity on Dec. 18 in last race ... Next start: San Felipe ... Odds: 21-1.
9. Lost in the Fog (Greg Gilchrist, Russell Baze): Swale Stakes winner just 50-50 for Derby ... Undefeated colt shipped from Florida back to Northern California last week ... Next start: Undecided ... Odds: 13-1.
10. Bandini (Todd Pletcher, Velazquez): Fountain of Youth runner-up may be trainer's best Derby prospect ... Next start: Florida Derby ... Odds: 14-1.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Bellamy Road, Consolidator, Don't Get Mad, Galloping Grocer, Noble Causeway.

Declan's Moon won't run in Kentucky Derby Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Undefeated Declan's Moon is off the Kentucky Derby trail because of a minor knee injury and won't return to the races for at least five months.Trainer Ron Ellis said Friday that the injury ---- a hairline fracture to a bone that runs from the shoulder to the knee ---- was discovered several days after Declan's Moon won the Santa Catalina at Santa Anita on March 5 in his 3-year-old debut.
The injury is not career-threatening, Ellis said in a phone interview from California, but "it looks like he's probably going to be out of training about 60 days, and we don't have 60 days to spare."
The Kentucky Derby is May 7.Ellis said once Declan's Moon returns to training, it could be another three months before the gelding races again."Realistically, we're looking at September," he said.Declan's Moon, unbeaten in five races and considered one of the top Derby contenders, becomes the latest 2-year-old champion who couldn't win the race. The most recent Eclipse Award winner as best 2-year-old male to take the Derby was Spectacular Bid in 1979.Ellis said Declan's Moon came out of the Santa Catalina in great shape, but there was "a little heat in his left knee, which is unusual for him."I just kind of chalked it up to running a race and not a real big deal," Ellis said.A few days later, X-rays were taken."He's a hundred percent sound," Ellis said. "He's bouncing around the barn and he came out of the race great physically and mentally, other than what we discovered to be a displaced chip."Surgery remains uncertain pending more X-rays next week.Ellis still has a Derby contender in Don't Get Mad.Meanwhile, the Derby trail will swing through the Fair Grounds today. High Limit drew the No. 3 post position in the nine-horse field for the $600,000 Louisiana Derby. The recently purchased 3-year-old of Bobby Frankel, a four-time Eclipse Award winner, was an early 5-2 favorite.Scipion, winner of the Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds last month and a 4-1 second choice, will start from post position 7 with Gary Stevens in the saddle.