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Belmont 2001


Point Given drew the outside post Wednesday for the third consecutive Triple Crown race. But he will break from the slot closest to the rail yet -- No. 9 in the 133rd Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

The son of Thunder Gulch, who won the Preakness out of post No. 11, was made the 8-5 morning line favorite. Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, the early 5-2 second choice, drew the No. 5 slot in the nine-horse field. Balto Star, 15-1, the lone speed in the race, will break from post No. 2.

What do Go and Go, A. P. Indy and Colonial Affair have in common? They skipped the first two legs of the Triple Crown in the 1990s and won the Belmont. Since '78, when Affirmed became the 11th horse to take the Triple Crown, different 3-year-olds have won each leg 10 times -- and seven who skipped the Kentucky Derby captured the Belmont.

That bodes well for Dr Greenfield, 30-1, the only horse who didn't run in The Derby or Preakness. However, Go and Go won the '89 Laurel Futurity while Dr Greenfield, 3-0-0 of 4, hasn't raced in this country.

Since '78, Derby winners who took the Belmont were Swale in '84 and Thunder Gulch in '95. That bodes well for Monarchos. Also keep in mind that five Derby winners didn't race in the Belmont. Since '78, Preakness winners who captured the Belmont were Risen Star in '88, Hansel in '91 and Tabasco Cat in '94. That bodes well for Point Given.

Of those who ran in the Derby but not the Preakness, Invisible Ink, 18-1, looks most intriguing despite not being a stakes winner. His second place finish was impressive, but forget nonwinners of stakes in the Belmont.

While this race is being touted by many as the rematch between Monarchos and Point Given, I believe its more of a showdown between Point Given and A P Valentine.

A P Valentine defeated Point Given by 1 3/4 lengths in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont on Oct. 14 and wound up going off the favorite in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. But the son of A. P. Indy was injured and ended up last while Point Given finished only a long nose away from victory.

A P Valentine, since the Champagne, ran his best race in the Preakness. And he has worked wonderfully on the Belmont surface: two breezes under a minute.
The copyright of the article Belmont 2001 in Horse Racing is owned by Greg Melikov. Permission to republish Belmont 2001 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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