The Final leg of the Triple Crown is to take place on June 11. Belmont Stakes is expected to have an audience comparable to the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. The New York Association has received a possible list of 19 contenders for the third
leg of the Triple Crown.
With the passage of time the list is expected to have more possible contenders. Animal Kingdom and Shackleford may be the favourites for the race, as their duel is what the spectators are rooting for. Apart from them another tentative candidate for the Belmont
is Master of Hounds. Master of Hounds is trained by Aidan O’ Brien.
The son of Kingmambo, Master of Hounds stood fifth in this year’s Kentucky Derby. He was ridden by Garrett Gomez. He was only five and a half lengths behind the winner Animal Kingdom.
As soon as Master of Hounds returned back to his trainer’s Ballydoyle base, the three year old did some work out. This made O’ Brien’s wife Anne- Maria tweet on Tuesday that "Master Of Hounds worked well this morning and is on target for the Belmont Stakes
on June 11." She declared him “on target” for the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Master of Hounds began his 2011 season by being runner up in the grade 2 UAE Derby at Maydan. The race enjoyed a fierce battle by Master of Hounds as he finished a nose behind the S and M al Naboodah Group.
As likely as Master of Hounds is gearing up for the Belmont Stakes, this also implies that the colt will not be taking part in the Investec Derby. He is considered as a 33-1 choice for the Investec Derby.
Apart from Master of Hounds another serious contender for the Belmont Stakes is Mucho Macho Man. Mucho Macho Man finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby, despite the fact that he endured a minor disturbance as the race began. Mucho Macho Man lost his front
left shoe in the seconds of the race. It seems like Mucho Macho Man has a tendency to lose shoes; in the Louisiana Derby, he had his right front shoe affixed him with nails, yet he lost them.
Gotham Stakes winner, Stay thirsty is also going to be a part of the June 11 event. And most importantly Nehro who finished runner up behind Animal Kingdom is another viable candidate for the Belmont Stakes.
The 1 1/2-mile Belmont might bear a good omen for the Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert whose Jaycito is feeling better and he might be able to race a mile and a half. Jaycito earlier this year had bruised his right front foot and the bruise lingered enough
to make the trainer scratch him from the Kentucky Derby. Baffert won the 2001 Belmont Stakes with Point Given.
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