For only the second time in recent history, the Belmont Stakes will be run without the winner of either the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness and without a horse competing in all three Triple Crown races.
Still, there are some good story lines in the 142nd running of the Belmont Stakes today at Belmont Park, beginning with – as always – distance. The 1 1/2 miles is the longest distance any of the entrants has run.
Trainer Nick Zito has run 22 horses in the Belmont, winning with longshots Birdstone in 2004 and Da’ Tara in 2008 and collecting six seconds and three thirds. He has Ice Box, the Kentucky Derby runner-up, and Fly Down, romping winner of the 1 1/8-mile Dwyer Stakes, in today’s race.
Full story: Stories without winners from Derby or Preakness