Old Rivalries at the 2005 Belmont Stakes

There will be no Triple Crown winner this year, for the 27th straight year, but the upcoming 137th Belmont Stakes is looking like another rematch between Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners, Giacomo and Afleet Alex.

Adding excitement to that rivalry, the two will see some of their old rivals to return and take them on again like Closing Argument, Scrappy T, Wilko, and Buzzards Bay.

Nick Zito might be sending back Andromeda's Hero and Bellamy Road. Plus a newcomer, Sir Barton winner Pinpoint. It will be remembered that it was a Zito horse, Birdstone, who pulled a major disappointment at last year's Belmont, grabbing victory over favorite Smarty Jones and denying horse racing fans of a Triple Crown winner.

Suffering major losses in the Derby and Preakness, Zito is hoping the Belmont will finally be his moment.

Other possible Belmont Stakes starters on June 11are: AP Arrow, High Limit, Greeley's Galaxy, Flower Alley, Sot It Out, Southern Africa, Golden Man, Checov, Reverberate, Watchmon, and Shamoan.

The 20-starter Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the Triple Crown races and the longest at a mile and a half distance. For Belmont racing tips, picks, and odds check out our coverage at Belmont Stakes Odds, Belmont Stakes Betting, and Belmont Stakes Picks.

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Next for Afleet Alex, Belmont Stakes 2005

A near-collision would've ended in disaster, instead Afleet Alex ran away to be the 130th Preakness Stakes victor at Pimlico on Saturday. And he sets his sights next on the 2005 Belmont Stakes in New York, June 11.

The incident only left Afleet with a scrapped ankle, according to trainer Tim Ritchey the son of Northern Afleet came out of the Preakness okay. "He seems to be fine,'' he said, "But what concerns me are muscle injuries because he was contorted in a way horses aren't meant to be. He walked well this morning, he ate everything and he certainly looks good now.''

Derby winner and Preakness third placer, Giacomo, will be shipped back to California and appears to be the only other Preakness starter being considered for the 1 1/2 -mile Belmont.

Nick Zito, who's been having bad days at the tracks, will be back at Belmont most likely with Andromeda's Hero (eighth in the Derby) and Pinpoint, who won the Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness undercard.

Other Belmont possibles include Buzzards Bay (fifth in the Derby), Southern Africa and Shamoan. The Belmont will be run for the first time in four years without a Triple Crown on the line.

The Belmont Stake is the oldest thoroughbred racing in the Triple Crown series. It's 137th running will be on June 11, 2005 at Belmont Park in New York.

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2005 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 11

It's the 137th running of the Belmont Stakes--the final jewel of the Triple Crown, test of the Champion for 3-year-olds, is the oldest of the top three races (with Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes) and the longest at one and a half miles.

In 2004 horse racing fans flocked to New York to see Smarty Jones sweep the Belmont Stakes and end the 26-year Triple Crown drought. Only to leave in major disappointment when Birdstone stole the glory and raced pass Smarty who had to settle for 2nd place.

Belmont Stakes' grueling distance is a true test of stamina that can make or break a horse. And of the 30 horses who came to Belmont Park eyeing the Triple Crown honors, only 11 have succeeded.

Will this be the year when it finally happens? Will Giacomo sustain his winning form and thrash his critics by scooping the Triple Crown races? It's the climax of the world-famous thoroughbred racing in America! And the whole world will be watching.

The 2005 Belmont Stakes on June 11, at Belmont Park, New York. Free racing events news, updates, tips, picks, and analysis on the final jewel of the Triple Crown trail. Here, soon.

Belmont, Belmont Stakes, Belmont 2005