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What's the point? Preakness winner works for Belmont Stakes
NEW YORK (AP) -- Preakness winner Point Given appears ready to go for what trainer Bob Baffert is calling Belmont bronze. "He's no worse for wear," Baffert said by telephone from Churchill Downs after Point Given worked five-eighths of a mile in 59 3-5 seconds in preparation for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes on June 9. The huge chestnut colt, fifth as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby, usually works in company, but he did it by himself Tuesday morning. Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, sixth in the Preakness, breezed a half mile in 49 seconds on a sloppy track Sunday at Belmont Park. "We missed the gold [the Derby], won the silver and now we're going for the bronze," Baffert said. It will be Baffert's fifth bid for a victory in the Belmont Stakes. Two losses were especially disappointing. Silver Charm (1997) and Real Quiet (1998) both finished second and failed to win the elusive Triple Crown. Point Given is to be flown to New York on June 5, along with Belmont probables Dollar Bill and Buckle Down Ben. Dollar Bill finished 15th in the Derby and fourth in the Preakness. Buckle Down Ben, who won a mile allowance race Sunday at Churchill Downs, will be making his debut in Triple Crown competition. Buckle Down Ben will be the 81st starter in the 53rd Triple Crown race for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who did not have a starter this year in the Derby or Preakness. Lukas' 13th victory in a Triple Crown race came last year when Commendable won the Belmont in which neither Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus nor Preakness winner Red Bullet competed. A field of nine 3-year-olds is expected for the Belmont. Other probables are A P Valentine, seventh in the Derby and second in the Preakness; Balto Star, 14th in the Derby; Invisible Ink, second in the Derby; Thunder Blitz, fourth in the Derby; and Dr Greenfield, based in England.
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