Preakness winner Curlin was made the 6-5
favorite Wednesday for the $1 million Belmont Stakes, with the
filly Rags to Riches the third choice at 3-1 in a field of seven
3-year-olds.
Curlin will leave from the No. 3 post position under Robby
Albarado, and will attempt to become the third horse in seven years
to capture the Preakness and Belmont. Point Given in 2001 and
Afleet Alex in 2005 won two-thirds of the Triple Crown after
failing to win the Kentucky Derby.
Hard Spun, second in the Derby and third in the Preakness, was
the second choice at 5-2 and took the No. 6 post at Wednesday's
post position draw.
Rags to Riches will become the 22nd filly to run in the Belmont
and the first since Silverbulletday finished seventh in 1999. The
Kentucky Oaks winner will be ridden for the first time by John
Velazquez, and drew the No. 7 post for Saturday's 1½-mile race.
Two fillies have won the Belmont - Ruthless took the first
running in 1867 and Tanya won in 1905.
Also entered are Imawildandcrazyguy, Tiago, Slew's Tizzy and C P
West.
Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense was pulled out of
consideration last week after his Triple Crown chance ended with a
loss in the Preakness.