ELMONT, N.Y. – All systems go.
That was the pronouncement by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert after he watched Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner American Pharoah gallop on the main track Thursday morning in preparation for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the elusive Triple Crown to be contested as part of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival presented by DraftKings.
ELMONT, N.Y.– Trainer Kenny McPeek, who upset War Emblem’s bid for a Triple Crown with Sarava in 2002, said Thursday morning that he will more than likely point The Truth or Else towards the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 6.
The Truth or Else, who had picked up 11 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby earlier this year, is coming out of a 1 ½-length allowance victory over the local track on May 22, which, according to McPeek, was a major deciding factor heading into the Belmont Stakes, in which American Pharoah will be bidding to become racing’s first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.