Scrappy T Bows Out of 2005 Belmont Stakes; Field of 11 Expected

The 137th Belmont Stakes loses Preakness runner-up Scrappy T, but trainer Nick Zito enters Indy Storm, an allowance winner on Preakness Day at Pimlico, making his total entries to three for the $1 million last Triple Crown jewel on June 11 at Belmont Park, New York.

Eleven horses are expected to start in the Belmont field. Post positions will be drawn at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Garden Terrace dining room on the fourth floor at Belmont Park.

Robert Bailes, the trainer for Scrappy T, said the decision to skip the Belmont ultimately came down to his concerns about the 1 1/2 miles of the Belmont.

"I wasn't 100 percent confident [with] him going that distance and what it was going to take out of him," Bailes said. "Better safe than sorry."

Zito will have three contenders: Andromeda's Hero, Pinpoint, and Indy Storm. He's hoping that one of them will duplicate Birdstone's 2004 feat. Zito was recently elected to the racing Hall of Fame, a Belmont win would give him a boost when he's officially inducted in August.

Preakness winner and heavy Belmont favorite Afleet Alex arrived at Belmont Park late Saturday afternoon after vanning up from Pimlico. Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo is expected to arrive at Belmont Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Here are the 11 Belmont contenders' list:

AP Arrow
Afleet Alex
Andromeda's Hero
Checov
Giacomo
Indy Storm
Nolan's Cat
Pinpoint
Reverberate
Southern Africa
Watchmon

For complete 2005 Belmont Stakes contenders profile check out Horses Wild's Belmont Page. For horse 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