Ice Box works; 13 pointing for Belmont

"He ran a great race," Zito said. "You always say what could have been. If

you just read the chart, he was steadied three times -- not once, but three

times. So, it's got to be disappointing.

"It was a tough race to lose, obviously, but a great race to be

thankful for," the Hall of Fame conditioner added. "The winner was very

good and Ice Box was just as good, that's for sure. He was just as good

as the winner; he just didn't get the chance to win."

Zito, who has won the 1 1/2-mile Belmont twice before with Birdstone (2004)

and Da' Tara (2008), will have a strong one-two punch in this year's classic

with FLY DOWN (Mineshaft), who will make his first Triple Crown appearance off a

six-length romp in the May 8 Dwyer S. (G2). Fly Down was also flattered by the

performance of Preakness S. (G1) runner-up FIRST DUDE (Stephen Got Even), who has

finished behind Fly Down in two previous starts.

Bob Baffert will not send Preakness winner Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike) to

the Belmont, but the silver-haired trainer will be represented in the "Test of

the Champion" by GAME ON DUDE (Awesome Again), who exits a 4 1/2-length score in

the May 8 Lone Star Derby (G3). The dark bay gelding worked Tuesday morning at

Santa Anita, completing six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 over the Pro-Ride. It was the

fastest of six moves at the distance.

As of Tuesday morning, 13 runners are being pointed toward the Belmont:

DROSSELMEYER (Distorted Humor), DUBLIN (Afleet Alex), First Dude, Fly Down, Game

on Dude, Ice Box, MAKE MUSIC FOR ME (Bernstein), NEW MADRID (Rock Hard Ten),

SETSUKO (Pleasantly Perfect), SPANGLED STAR (Distorted Humor), STATELY VICTOR

(Ghostzapper), STAY PUT (Broken Vow) and UPTOWNCHARLYBROWN (Limehouse).

Maiden winner New Madrid, last seen finishing sixth in the Arkansas Derby

(G1), will prep for the third jewel of the Triple Crown in a Thursday allowance

at Belmont Park. The Tim Ice trainee will square off against nine rivals in the

6TH race, a 1 1/8-mile turf affair for allowance/optional claiming runners.