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