[HairOfTheDog]

And also in our thoughts today, the horse that isn't running:

Barbaro stronger all the time; ESPN/ABC to feature Barbaro during coverage of Belmont Stakes

June 9, 2006

KENNETT SQUARE, PA – Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro continues to please veterinarians at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals with his progress on this day before the running of the finale of horse racing’s Triple Crown. Barbaro is recovering from a shattered hind leg sustained at the Preakness on May 20 , and remains in intensive care at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center.

Though Barbaro won’t be at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 10, current plans for airing the race on ESPN (noon until 5 p.m.) and on ABC Wide World of Sports (5 p.m.–7 p.m.) include live shots of Barbaro in his stall.

Source: Penn Veterinary Medicine : News & Events : Updates on Barbaro's Condition

[HairOfTheDog]

Pletcher OK With No Derby Or Preakness Winner In Belmont

There is no question it would have been great to see Preakness champ Bernardini and a healthy Barbaro in Saturday’s 138th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes. With those two stars absent however, the oldest, longest and last leg of the Triple Crown is as competitive as could be with a big field of a dozen three-year-olds trying to get a mile and a half.

Todd Pletcher, the Eclipse Award-winning trainer the last two years, has never won a Triple Crown race. His combined record in the Belmont, Kentucky Derby and Preakness is 0-2-2 from 19 starters, not what would be expected for a trainer as good as he is. That could all change Saturday though as it appears Pletcher, who turns 39 later this month, has two of the horses to beat in the Belmont with Bluegrass Cat and Sunriver.

The Belmont Stakes, the “Test of the Champion,” is race 11 on a 13-race card that begins at noon EDT. Post time for the Belmont, which will serve as the final leg of $1 million guaranteed all-stakes pick four and pick six pools, is 6:33 p.m. Six graded races will be run on Saturday with combined purses of $2.4 million. Some of those races can be seen on ESPN from noon to 5 p.m. ABC will take over coverage at 5 p.m. showing the Manhattan and Belmont Stakes before wrapping up their telecast at 7 p.m. All of the stakes races will be shown live.

WinStar Farm’s Bluegrass Cat is the morning line favorite for the 138th Belmont. He comes off a runner-up effort in the Kentucky Derby where he was 6 ½ lengths behind Barbaro at the finish, going off at odds of 30-1.

After establishing himself as one of the leading three-year-olds, fans were quick to forget about Bluegrass Cat following an odds-on loss to Deputy Glitt... ...more

Ping!

[STARWISE]

Just won't have the thrill and appeal without sweet Barbaro .. who are we rooting for? Who's got the human interest story?

[Pajamajan]

Thanks for the thread Hair! Great graphics. There's coverage on ESPN right now.

[Gondring]

Though Barbaro won’t be at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 10, current plans for airing the race on ESPN (noon until 5 p.m.) and on ABC Wide World of Sports (5 p.m.–7 p.m.) include live shots of Barbaro in his stall.

Why does this crack me up...?

[38special]

Go with the gray horse...Steppenwolfer.

[Mr. Mojo]

1973 Belmont video:

"Secretariat is moving like a tremendous machine!!!"

[Hildy]

WHO DO YOU LIKE????

[NormsRevenge]

Beer's in the chiller,, Check.
Remote is close at hand,, Check.

Thanks for the Live thread.

Giddyup!

[NormsRevenge]

A man signs a giant get-well card for Kentucky Derby winning horse Barbaro at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, June 10, 2006. Barbaro suffered a broken leg during the running of the Preakness Stakes. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES)

[NormsRevenge]

WOO HOOO!!! Winners! :-)

Two U.S. Navy officers cash their winnings at a betting window in the main clubhouse at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, June 10, 2006. Belmont was hosting the 138th running of the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of racing's Triple Crown Saturday. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES)

[deadhead]

For sentimental reasons, I am rooting for Bob and John

[PGalt]

Thanks for the thread.

[Matchett-PI]

bttt

[Pajamajan]

Anyone have Jazil? 18 yr old jockey.

[Pajamajan]

Anyone have Jazil? 18 yr old jockey.

[PGalt]

I woulda had him in my tri if I had gone to the local track. For a dollar woulda bet 4/all/all and 8/all/all.

Congratulations to Jara and Jazil.

[Ciexyz]

Darn, I had no idea the race was today. I've been watching the World Cup and French Open tennis, didn't see any commercials touting this race.

That's encouraging news about Barbaro.