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Small field, no gripes from draw
But unlike the Kentucky Derby and Preakness before it, the whining from trainers and owners was kept to a minimum yesterday after the post-position draw.
"I've got no beef," trainer Nick Zito said after Adonis and Stephen Got Even drew Posts 8 and 11, respectively. "I don't think there really is a poor post with 12 horses going a mile and a half at Belmont. There is plenty of time before the first turn."
In the Preakness, trainer Bob Baffert scratched filly Silverbulletday after she drew outside Post 14. At the Kentucky Derby, several trainers complained about the bulky 19-horse field and the traffic problems it created.
GIANT-KILLER: For years, trainer Allen Jerkens has been known as the giant killer for the numerous upsets he has engineered, including beating the great Kelso three times in 1962 and '63 and Secretariat twice in '73. The 70-year-old trainer will try it again Saturday with Best of Luck, a winner of the Peter Pan last month at Belmont. The colt has the outside Post 12 and is 6-1 in the morning line.
FINISH LINES: Four Belmont entrants travelled to New York from Louisville yesterday and also on the flight was Charismatic's trainer, D. Wayne Lukas. "All the horses loaded and travelled good except Silverbulletday," Lukas said jokingly after his horse arrived in the barn shortly before noon. "She was reluctant to get on." ... Of the 130 previous Belmont runnings, 58 have been won by betting favourites for a 45% win percentage ... There is a good chance Charismatic will be the betting favourite this year if for no other reason than sentiment. Real Quiet and Silver Charm, who had Triple Crown aspirations the past two years, were favourites as was Sunday Silence in 1989.