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.

Belmont, Belmont Stakes, Belmont 2005