A Large Field Likely for Belmont Stakes 138

For the fourth time in 44 years, it appears the Belmont Stakes on June 10 will be staged without the winner of the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes.

In 2000, Fusaichi Pegasus won at Churchill Downs and ran second to Red Bullet at Pimlico, but neither raced at Belmont. The winner: Commendable. In 1970, Dust Commander triumphed in the Kentucky Derby and Personality took the Preakness, but both skipped the Belmont. High Echelon, third at Louisville, captured the third jewel of the Triple Crown.

One of the most exciting Kentucky Derby contests came in 1962 when Bill Hartack guided Decidedly home ahead of 14 other 3-year-olds. It was one of Hartack’s five victories in America’s Race — he’s tied with Eddie Arcaro for most wins.

After skipping the Kentucky Derby, Greek Money captured the Preakness and Jaipur took the Belmont by a nose. That’s the smallest margin of victory along with Granville in 1936.

Once again winners of the first two Triple Crown legs won’t race in the Belmont, but for different reasons: Derby champ Barbaro is recovering from a life-threatening leg injury in the Preakness while Bernardini will be rested after his impressive victory at Pimlico.

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There Will Be No Bernardini at Belmont Stakes...

Darley Stables has confirmed that 2006 Preakness Stakes winner, Bernardini, won’t be making an appearance in the Belmont Stakes race on June 10, the final leg of US thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.

The decision is another blow for the Belmont, which is already without Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, who suffered career-ending and life-threatening injuries in the Preakness on Saturday.

In just his fourth career start, Bernardini pulled away for a 5 1/4-length in the Preakness but was overshadowed by the serious injury to Barbaro, who broke three bones in his right rear leg and underwent six-hour surgery.

The decision to not run Bernardini in the Preakness was made by Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed, who wants the colt to rest. Bernardini could run in the Jim Dandy, Haskell or Travers Stakes in August.

“Given the fact that Bernardini only broke his maiden in March and won a Grade 1 race in May, we feel that he climbed the ladder of competition quite quickly,” said James Bell of Darley Stables. “Having said that, we believe he deserves a break.”

No horse has won the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978.

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2006 Belmont Stakes Set for June 10

It's the 138th running of the Belmont Stakes on June 10, 2006 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, one of the oldest thoroughbred races in North America.

Belmont is the third and final leg of the prestigious Triple Crown Race for top 3-year-old thoroughbreds in America. After the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, and the Preakness at Pimlico, horse racing handicappers, bettors, and fans focus on Belmont.

Get complete Belmont Stakes horse racing picks & betting tips, odds to win the Belmont and the Triple Crown, news on top contenders, jockeys, and trainers. Plus FREE handicapping tips our from racing experts, best horse betting options and hot promos from top online race books on the Internet.

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