Despite War Emblem's impressive victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, the speedy colt will have no lack of company Saturday in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park.
Eleven horses are being prepared for the 1 1/2 -mile marathon as possible upsetters of War Emblem's bid to become racing's 12th Triple Crown winner. Entries will be taken and post positions drawn tomorrow at Belmont.
War Emblem galloped yesterday at Churchill Downs, his base since winning the Preakness May 18 at Pimlico. He is to breeze today and be flown tomorrow to New York along with the other Belmont horses training in Kentucky.
"He's doing great," said Bob Baffert, who trains War Emblem. "All we can do is just keep him healthy."
Of the colt's 11 potential challengers in the $1 million Belmont, two competed against him in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness: Proud Citizen and Medaglia d'Oro. Kent Desormeaux has secured the mount on Medaglia d'Oro.
Two others raced against War Emblem in the Derby: Essence of Dubai and Perfect Drift. One raced against him in the Preakness: Magic Weisner. And six will take him on after missing the first two legs of the Triple Crown series: Artax Too, Like a Hero, Puzzlement, Sarava, Sunday Break and Wisemen's Ferry.
Learning long way
Hall of Fame trainer H. Allen Jerkens sent Puzzlement on an unusually long workout run yesterday at Belmont. The runner-up in the Peter Pan Stakes breezed 1 1/8 miles in 1 minute, 55.02 seconds.
"He's got to go long to learn," Jerkens said. "I don't know how else he's going to go a mile and a half. Who knows? I never won one, so maybe I don't know what I'm doing. I just don't understand the other point of view."
Puzzlement has finished in the money in each of his five starts. He did not begin racing until March 2, finishing third in a six-furlong, maiden-special-weight race at Gulfstream Park. He has won two races and earned $92,640.
Personal touch
Nancy Alberts worked Magic Weisner herself yesterday at Laurel Park. Her Preakness runner-up breezed five furlongs in 1 minute, 1 second. Alberts plans on vanning Magic Weisner to Belmont on Friday, the day before the race.
Prado switches
After riding Harlan's Holiday in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, Edgar Prado will pilot Sarava in the Belmont. Both horses are trained by Ken McPeek. Sarava, a son of Wild Again, won the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico on Preakness day.
Big role for 'Ferry'?
Wiseman's Ferry, trained by Niall O'Callaghan, could have the most impact on the Belmont. He won the Lone Star Derby gate-to-wire and has the speed to run with War Emblem early.
Looking for quick pace
Perfect Drift, third in the Kentucky Derby, needs a fast pace for his powerful late kick. The gelding's trainer, Murray Johnson, hopes Wiseman's Ferry or another speedball tests War Emblem early.
"Everyone knows how good War Emblem is now," Johnson said. "I'm sure they'll make him run early like they did in the Preakness."
Of course, Menacing Dennis did that in the Preakness, and War Emblem still won.