Animal Kingdom 9/4 for Belmont ;)

Must say fancy this one, all the best to Barry and his team.

Animal Kingdom shines in final Belmont workout

USA: Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom goes into Saturday's Belmont Stakes showdown with his Preakness conqueror Shackleford after an eyecatching final workout at the Classic venue on Monday.

Ridden by big-race jockey John Velazquez, Animal Kingdom posted a ‘bullet' four-furlong workout on the dirt in a time of 47.79s - the fastest of 32 works at the distance.

"He was half-way running off with me," said Velazquez. "I took him as slowly as I could. He got very competitivewith the other horse. After he passed him after the wire, he kept galloping very strong."

Trainer Graham Motion said he was satisfied with the workout. "I thought it was super," he said.

"Johnny said he did it all on his own - he didn't even ask him to gallop out. That why I only wanted to go a half with him - I thought he would gallop out really strong. I don't think it could have gone any better."

Kentucky runner-up Nehro, who sat out the Preakness, re-enters the fray on Saturday, having completed his serious preparations with a four-furlong breeze at Belmont on Monday.

The son of Mineshaft was clocked at 50.88s. "I don't want to be arrogant because it's racing, but I wish the race was tomorrow," said owner Ahmed Zayat.

"There are variables we can't control once they gates are open, but we're ready and we will have no excuses.At a mile and a half, you're going to see a different horse. That's the final word. We're ready."

Joel Rosario, likely to visit Royal Ascot next week to partner Holiday For Kitten in the King's Stand, will renew continue his association with Blue Grass Stakes winner Brilliant Speed for trainer Tom Albertrani.

Ballydoyle contender Master Of Hounds was scheduled to leave Ireland on Monday night.

Belmont Stakes

William Hill: 9-4 Animal Kingdom, 7-2 Nehro, 5 Shackleford, 6 Master Of Hounds, 8 Mucho Macho Man, 14 Santiva, 16 Brilliant Speed, 20 Stay Thirsty, 25 bar

Press conference yesterday resembled a big fight nose to nose,with oor Barry kicking it off


Ended with Dale Romans pointing a finger saying "i want you" to oor Barry

Nothing like a little Triple Crown trash talk a few days before the Belmont Stakes.

Full Article click here

The owner of Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom fired the first salvo at a news conference in Manhattan on Tuesday, dissing Preakness winner Shackleford’s chances of winning Saturday’s final leg of the Triple Crown.

“I’m not worried about Shackleford, by the way,” said Barry Irwin of Team Valor International, which owns Animal Kingdom. “I’m worried about Mucho Macho Man. I think he’s the horse to beat.”

His comments drew oohs and aahs from those in attendance, including Shackleford’s trainer Dale Romans. When it was his turn to step up to the podium, Romans retaliated.

“That’s not the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard Barry say, but it’s one of them,” Romans said to much laughter.

The friendly feud continued after the formal interviews, with Irwin wondering what all the fuss was about.

“What’s so controversial?” he asked. “I gave my opinion, for God’s sake.”

As Romans was leaving, he pointed a finger at Irwin, smiled, and said: “I want you!”

For me the ONLY bet is the Exacta box.....500 times, whatever you can afford....AK and Nehro!

Belmont Stakes post-position draw

1. MasterOf Hounds (Garrett Gomez)
2. Stay Thirsty (Javier Castellano)
3. Ruler On Ice (Jose Valdivia)
4. Santiva (Shaun Bridgmohan)
5. Brilliant Speed (Joel Rosario)
6. Nehro (Corey Nakatani)
7. Monzon (Jose Lezcano)
8. Prime Cut (Edgar Prado)
9. Animal Kingdom (John Velazquez)
10. Mucho Macho Man (Ramon Dominguez)
11. Isn't He Perfect (Rajiv Maragh)
12. Shackleford (Jesus Castanon)

ANIMAL KINGDOM 9/4 NEHRO 7/2 SHACKLEFORD 5 MASTER OF HOUNDS 6 MUCHO MACHO MAN 8

Me, I'm wondering if Shacklford's trainer will end up eating his merry words without benefit of catsup to get them down. Mucho looks good to me.

Just noticed Gypsy`s warning is running tonight as well she`s 4/1

Any chance to Stay Thirsty?

Nightmare trip for barry`s horse,has a Kentucky Derby winner ever ran in the Arc?

Ruler On Ice, sent off just short of a 25-1 chance, beat Stay Thirsty into second with Brilliant Speed taking third in the gruelling $1 million event known as the 'Test of a Champion'.

After tracking Preakness winner Shackleford, Ruler On Ice took over in the stretch and then fought hard to repel the second and third, both of whom looked sure to run past in the final furlong before it became clear they were facing a determined foe.

After trying to make all in filthy conditions, Shackleford predictably ran out of stamina in the stretch on the sloppy ground, while Kentucky Derby hero Animal Kingdom had little chance after stumbling at the break and racing about 15 lengths off the pace until after halfway.

Although Animal Kingdom made an eyecatching move to circle much of the field on the far turn, he expended too much energy and had nothing left in the stretch. He finished sixth.

RACE REPLAY

What a pity for AK and his connections ... such a disappointment for them. Hope the horse pulled out OK after his heavy exertions.