2005 BELMONT STAKES

HORSEPHOTOS/NTRA

Afleet Alex wins the 137th running of The Belmont Stakes.

AFLEET ALEX VICTORIOUS IN 137TH BELMONT STAKES

THE BELMONT STAKES OFFICIAL RESULTS

JUNE 11, 2005

BELMONT STAKES

GRADE I

BELMONT RACETRACK, ELMONT, NEW YORK

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS

ONE AND ONE-HALF MILES

MAIN TRACK: FAST

AFLEET ALEX

Winner

137th Belmont Stakes

Jockey: Jeremy Rose

Trainer: Timothy F. Ritchey

Owners: Cash Is King Stable, LLC

Three Year Old Chestnut Colt - May 9, 2002

Bred by John Martin Silvertand (FL)

Northern Afleet - Maggy Hawk , by Hawkster

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH

 24.47, 48.62, 1:12.92, 1:38.05, 2:04.25, 2:28.75

ALEX THE GREAT
June 11, 2005
Belmont Park, Elmont, New York

It was the finally to another Triple Crown trail. In this installment, The 137th Belmont Stakes, ten entrants would line up to face Preakness winner, Afleet Alex. The Preakness winner was coming into this race looking great after that bizarre incident in the turn for home a few weeks ago and would be sent off as the prohibitive favorite.

On paper it looked as if the rest of the field was running for second. There were some usual suspects entered including Derby winner Giacomo, who seems to get no respect, then you had Derby 8th place finisher Andromeda's Hero, from the Zito barn. After that there were some fresh legs including Pimlico's Sir Barton winner, Pin Point. Others of note were Nolan's Cat from the barn of Dale Romans, oh by the way did we mention he is a maiden. The Belmont Stakes has always been a place were maidens get of the snide. It really didn't matter who was entered because Afleet Alex was entered, he was the favorite, he had all the momentum and best of all is he didn't disappoint.

We heard that his jockey would need some seasoning to win this race at Belmont. That he would have to pick the right moment to press the button and the size of the track could deceive the newer riders in such a big event. All this nonsense in the media all week was just that, nonsense! The patience exhibited by the journeyman Rose was amazing, as well as the effortless stride that Alex displayed as he paced the other horses who were all out before just disposing of them passing the quarter pole turning for home.

What was surprising was that Giacomo was on the lead heading for home, a place we did not expect him to be considering his pilot Mike Smith has won the Belmont riding title a number of times. Perhaps the others had just given up, maybe he was trying to leave Alex in traffic trouble turning for home. Whatever it was it didn't matter because in just five or six jumps Alex dismissed this group and ran away to one of the most impressive performances of the year.

In recent memory the sports world has been littered with stories of performers who did not live up to their story book ending. This time however the professional stepped his game up to the occasion to cap a great run and in the process educated the public about a worthwhile charity. Owners, Cash Is King Stable, and their trainer Tim Ritchey are to be congratulated for running a classy operation where they understand and have good perspective on the game and the game of life. Their horse comes first and he gets quality care and in return their horse performs for them. It's a great story that we hope continues this summer at the Haskell. It will be a great day on the shore and the lemonade should be flowing. Congrats to the connections, to the tracks who put on the spring classics and to those of you who continue to follow this great game.  See you at the Haskell.
reading this see you next spring.

For the recap of the race see below.

To be posted shortly.