2005 Belmont Stakes Starters Taking Shape

Update on the upcoming 137th Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, the last jewel of the Triple Crown races.

Afleet Alex and Giacomo will see some of their old rivals from the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes returning to take them on. This include Closing Argument and Scrappy T, runner-ups in the said first two Triple Crown races.

Nick Zito's barn 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 again be his saving grace in this horse racing season that has so far been unkind to him.

More returning entries may include Wilko, Buzzards Bay, Flower Alley, and Greeley's Galaxy.

Here's the list so far of possible Belmont Stakes starters on June 11:

Afleet Alex
Giacomo
Andromeda's Hero
AP Arrow
Buzzards Bay
Bellamy Road
Scrappy T
Closing Argument
High Limit
Greeley's Galaxy
Flower Alley
Sot It Out
Southern Africa
Golden Man
Checov
Reverberate
Watchmon
Pinpoint
Shamoan
Wilco

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

Afleet Alex, Giacomo Goes to 2005 Belmont Stakes

After Giacomo's surprise victory at the 131^st Kentucky Derby, and Afleet Alex's near-tragic finish at the 130^th Preakness Stakes (photographed), the Triple Crown races will reach its dramatic conclusion on June 11 for the 137^th running of Belmont Stakes at the Belmont Park.

The Belmont Stakes is a $1 million G1 race and is the last jewel of the Triple Crown.

Derby winner Giacomo, was shipped to California after his third place finish at Preakness. He appears to be the only other Preakness starter being considered for the 1 1/2 -mile Belmont at this time.

Afleet Alex's win at the Old Hilltop, meanwhile, has again made him the the top 3-year-old contender for Belmont.

Nick Zito, who's been enduring great blows at the tracks, will be back at Belmont most likely with Andromeda's Hero (eighth in the Derby) and Pinpoint, who won the Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness undercard.

No word yet if Bellamy Road will make a Belmont appearance as earlier reported.

Other Belmont possibles include Buzzards Bay (fifth in the Derby), Southern Africa and Shamoan. The Belmont will be run for the first time in four years without a Triple Crown on the line.

In addition to the Belmont Stakes, Belmont Park will offer a 13-race card that will include the $400,000 Manhattan Handicap (Gr. 1), the $250,000 Brooklyn Handicap (Gr. 2), the $200,000 True North Breeders' Cup Handicap (Gr. 2), the $200,000 Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup (Gr. 2) and the $250,000 Just A Game Breeders' Cup Handicap (Gr. 2).

The Belmont Stake is the oldest thoroughbred racing in the Triple Crown series. It's 137th running will be on June 11, 2005 at Belmont Park in New York.

For Belmont racing tips, picks, and odds check out the following pages: Belmont Stakes Odds, Belmont Stakes Betting, and Belmont Stakes Picks.

Belmont, Belmont Stakes, Belmont 2005

Belmont Stakes 2005 on June 11

The final leg of theTriple Crown races culminates on June 11 for the 137th Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. The climax of the world-famous thoroughbred racing of America. Will there be a new Triple Crown champion? Will Giacomo beat all odds to win both the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, and make history?

The 2005 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, the final jewel of the Triple Crown, test of the Champion for 3-year-olds, is the oldest of the top three races (with Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes) and the longest at one and a half miles.

Watch out for full coverage, free racing tips and picks; Belmont race entries and contenders news, updates, and nominated horses' profiles.The 137th running of the Belmont Stakes kicks off June 11 at Belmont Park, New York.

Belmont, Belmont Stakes, Belmont 2005