Tale of Verve gallops ahead of Belmont upset bid

"We've been good, but we've got to get it done. We've got to march over there

and get it done," Stewart said. "I think he's a horse that's really bred for the

distance. He can take it. He's got the stamina, he's got the pedigree. I think

he's got the ability, so it's going to be a real good race for him. I'm feeling

real good about it."

Tale of Verve has one win to his credit in seven lifetime starts, beating

older horses in a 1 3/16-mile maiden special weight April 23 immediately prior

to the Preakness. He has been training at Belmont since the race, including a

five furlong breeze in :59 May 30, the fastest of 23 horses.

Tuesday morning, Tale of Verve galloped once around Belmont's 1 1/2-mile main

track. Gary Stevens, who has won the Belmont three times (1995, 1998, 2001) in

his Hall of Fame career, will ride on Saturday.

"He went easy in the mud, looked good and had good energy. He's eating well

and training well," Stewart said. "There's nothing left to do now. We'll just

polish it off until the race and see what happens.

"This is my job. This is what I do," Stewart said. "I can respect what

(American Pharoah is) trying to accomplish and if I don't win it, I hope he

does. But, I'm out to win it."

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