Afleet Alex, Giacomo likely to run in Belmont

Afleet Alex, right, nearly tasted dirt before tasting Preakness victory  (Joseph DiOrio/Horsephotos.com)

AFLEET ALEX (Northern Afleet), whose poise and athleticism overcame a near-disastrous fall to win Saturday's Preakness S. (G1), and GIACOMO (Holy Bull),

the 50-1 upset winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1), are likely to run in the 137th

running of the Belmont S. (G1) on June 11. The 1 1/2-mile "Test of Champions" is

the oldest and longest leg of the Triple Crown. For only the third time in the

last eight years, there will not be a Triple Crown at stake in this year's $1

million event.

The last time a Kentucky Derby winner hooked up with a Preakness winner in

the Belmont was June 9, 2001, when Point Given cruised to a 12 1/4-length

victory over A P Valentine before a crowd 73,857. Kentucky Derby winner

Monarchos was third that day.

This Saturday's $200,000 Peter Pan S. (G2) will likely send its top finishers

to the Belmont. CHEKHOV (Pulpit), GOLDEN MAN (Suave Prospect), MR SWORD (Rizzi),

ORATORY (Pulpit), REVERBERATE (Thunder Gulch), ROBADOR (Robannier), SAINT ANDDAN

(A.P. Indy) and SURVIVALIST (Danzig), and possibly BETTER THAN BONDS (Sweetsouthernsaint)

and CONFEDERATION (Dixie Union) are expected to run.

PINPOINT (Peaks and Valleys), winner of Saturday's Sir Barton S. at Pimlico,

and BUZZARDS BAY (Marco Bay), winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and fifth in

the Kentucky Derby, are considered likely for the Belmont.

ANDROMEDA'S HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus), eighth in the Derby, and A.P. ARROW (A.P.

Indy), are under consideration for the third leg of the Triple Crown.

ESPN will provide coverage on Belmont Stakes Day from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

(EDT). NBC will then take over from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the Belmont

scheduled as race 11 (6:38 p.m.) of a 13-race card.

Despite an increase in price, reserved seats are sold out for the Belmont.