SLAM! Sports
Horse Racing
COLUMNS
AT THE POST
THOROUGHBRED
HARNESS
BREEDERS CUP
INTERACTIVE
ALSO ON SLAM!
Plenty of sex appeal for Stakes
Among the 12 starters in the mile-and-a-half marathon, two horses seem to be getting the most attention -- Kentucky Derby and Preakness champion Charismatic, who is chasing the final jewel of the Triple Crown, and filly Silverbulletday, who won the two classic filly races this spring, the Kentucky Oaks and Black-Eyed Susan.
"We have the best filly taking on the best colt," Silverbulletday's trainer, Bob Baffert, said. "How good is he, how good is she? This is like a heavyweight title fight. It should be on pay-per-view."
Baffert's decision to enter his filly has been the source of controversy this week.
At a mile and a half, today's Belmont is three-eighths of a mile farther than she ever has gone. What's more, the last filly to win the Belmont was Tanya in 1905. The only other filly to win was Ruthless in 1867.
"Whether the fuel light comes on turning for home, we won't know until after the race," Baffert said. "Distance is the only question. She is healthy, she is happy and she is on her toes."
OWNERS NOT PLEASED
Adding to the intrigue is the fact that Baffert also trains horses for Charismatic's owners, Bob and Beverly Lewis. The owners reportedly are not pleased Baffert has entered the filly to attempt to spoil their party.
Even Silverbulletday's regular jockey, Gary Stevens, who has moved to England to race for the summer, is skeptical. Stevens will be replaced by Jerry Bailey today as Silverbulletday goes for her 12th win in 13 career starts.
"I was a little shocked they chose to run her," Stevens said. "And I've got to be honest with you, I love Charismatic's chances to win the Triple Crown."
Charismatic's trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, has chided Silverbulletday for her "cupcake schedule" -- racing only against her own sex -- and questions if she will wilt when the boys look her in the eye.
And he's not backing down on his opinion of Charismatic.
"He looked like his old self," Lukas said after Charismatic's 13/4-mile gallop yesterday. "I don't see anything different than going into the Preakness or the Derby."