Raquelle,

One week from today, "Big Brown" will try to make racing history by becoming the 12th Triple Crown winner and the first since "Affirmed" accomplished the feat 30 years ago in 1978. Yours truly was there that day as I was when "Secretariat" and "Seattle Slew" also added their names to that short list. It truly is as exciting as you think it would be. I'm much older now and to be hpnest with you, I had told some of my closest racing brethren that with the way the horses are bred and trained now that I didn't think it would ever happen again. Let's hope I'm wrong.

For a look at the  field and some comments, see the article in the Dog Pound below.

It was also announced yesterday that all off-track sites, both online and telephone will accept wagering on the entire card on Belmont Stakes day.

Today we have a total of five races, three from Belmont Park and a pair from Monmouth.

Friday's Results: Monmouth Park Race #1 Best Bet Winner #3 (Lookie Cookie) $2.60.
Exacta (3-2) $4.80.
Trifecta (3-2-7) $9.80. 

Belmont Park Race #2 Exacta second pick with Top Pick (1-8) $13.40. 

Monmouth Park Race #4 Exacta second pick with Top Pick (4-1) $21.40.

Belmont Park Race #4 Top Pick Winner #9 (Lyke a Hurricane) $3.30.

Below is a full listing of the field as it shapes up that will enter the starting gate in the Belmont Stakes. After "Big Brown" we have listed the others in alphabetical order with their trainers.

(Big Brown-Richard Dutrow)---(Anak Nakal--Nick Zito)----(Behindatthebar-Todd Pletcher)---(Casino Drive--Kazuo Fujisawa)---( Denis of Cork--David Carroll)---(Ichabad Crane--Graham Motion)--(Macho Again--Dallas stewart)--(Tale of Ekati--Barclay Tagg)--(Tomcito--Dante Zanelli).

There is very little quality speed signed on and supposed main challenger "Casino Drive" just posted a horrible work. Trainer will need to get a sharp move into him early next week or the way things are shaping up "Big Brown" may be able to take the lead and throw :24  quarter miles at them, and just dare them to catch him. Apparently fully recovered from his foot injury earlier this week at this stage, it's his race to lose.

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MONMOUTH PARK Race #FOUR (2:15 PM Eastern)

(# 3) POSSESSIVE - Problems in her last pair at Gulfstream have prevented her from performing better. Steadied in both, she had run a strong third place finish in her prior race that has produced several winners. Good shot at the win at a square price.

(# 2) A Through Z - Drew the hedge in her debut at Gulfstream so they decided to "send" her. Tired badly but it was a nice educational race. Filly ran much better second time out on May 3 at Belmont. Stalked the pace and held well to finish a strong third. The second place finisher(Receipt) returned to win last Sunday.

(# 1) Platinumplus - Probable favorite has run well in all three of her grass appearances. Has the hedge, tactical speed and Bravo rerides for Barclay Tagg. Many things to like.

(# 8) Spring Mambo - Expensive ($250,000) daughter of "Kingmambo" has been freshened up for the past 2 1/2 months by trainer Amy Tarrant. She has run evenly in several turf attempts, but needs to finish stronger to have a chance.