Bodog Beat

With the final leg of the Triple Crown approaching, here are some updates on the Belmont Stakes contenders. (AP Images)

NYRA Stakes Coordination Andrew Byrnes expects the Belmont Stakes field to include: Big Brown, Anak Nakal, Casino Drive, Denis of Cork, Icabad Crane, Macho Again, Tale of Ekati, and Tomcito.

Behindatthebar’s trainer Todd Pletcher, will soon make a decision on whether he and/or Behindatthebar will run in the Belmont.

Casino Drive’s stable mate, Spark Candle is still a possibility for the Belmont. Spark Candle was purchased for $1.5-million and is trained by Kazuo Fujisawa. If he doesn’t run in the Belmont Stakes he may be entered in the Grade 3 Hill Prince Stakes on June 6th, which will take place at Belmont Park

Trainer David Carroll said Denis of Cork is right on schedule for the Belmont Stakes. This morning on the fast main track at Churchill Downs Denis of Cork worked five furlongs in 0:59.80 under jockey Robby Albarado.

“We’ll probably breeze him again on Sunday or Monday and then ship to Belmont,” Carroll said. “He’s a very steady type of horse. He’s not going to blow you away, but he is going to go about his business.”

Curious to see if he had any reaction to Big Brown’s minor injury, Carroll was asked his thoughts on Big Brown’s quarter crack and Carroll said, “As long as it’s not Denis of Cork with a quarter crack, I really don’t care. Seriously, that is something we all have had to deal with at one time or another. Fortunately, Big Brown is in excellent hands. Ian McKinlay is the best, and I’ve known him for a long time. I’m sure Big Brown will be okay, but I have enough to worry about with my own horse.”

Trainer Nick Zito is pleased with Anak Nakal’s half-mile work yesterday at Saratoga’s Oklahoma Training Track. He clocked 0:48:68.

However, trainer Barclay Tagg, is not too happy with Tale of Ekati’s six-furlong work of 1:18:97 today at Belmont Park.

“Two works before a Classic race,” Tagg muttered, “and this is not what I wanted. It’s no wonder I’m always in a bad mood.”

Tagg said he didn’t know what his plans would be now for the winner of the Grade 3 Wood Memorial Stakes, who finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby.

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