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The race is on War Emblem installed as even-money Belmont favoritePosted: Wednesday June 05, 2002 2:46 PMUpdated: Thursday June 06, 2002 3:23 AM
NEW YORK (AP) -- War Emblem, installed as the even-money favorite for Saturday's Belmont Stakes, will break from the No. 10 post in his bid to win the Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner arrived from Kentucky Wednesday and went immediately to Barn 7, where he walked the shed row before retiring to his stall. "He shipped well," trainer Bob Baffert said. "He's sort of enjoying all this, but sometimes it can be overwhelming." War Emblem will start near the outside in the field of 12 3-year-olds in the 1 1/2-mile (2.4-kilometer) Belmont. "I'd rather be outside than inside," Baffert said. "He"s outside most of the speed." Wiseman's Ferry, a 20-1 long shot who has the speed to challenge War Emblem's front-running style, will break from the No. 3 post.
"Wiseman's Ferry is the key to the race," said Bobby Frankel, who trains 10-1 shot Medaglia d'Oro. "The horse on the inside (Wiseman's Ferry) is going to be dictating the pace," Frankel said. "If he was in the race by himself, he might win it." Proud Citizen, second to War Emblem in the Derby, was made the 5-1 second choice and will be in the No. 9 post. Japanese-bred Sunday Break, who skipped the Derby and Preakness, will come out of the No. 5 hole and is the 6-1 third choice. Magic Weisner, a 10-1 shot out of the eighth hole, was a surprising second in the Preakness. Artax Too, the lone 50-1 shot in the field, drew No. 1 -- where 22 Belmont winners have started their journeys. A quartet of horses are 30-1. Like A Hero will break from No. 2; Essence of Dubai comes out of the fourth hole; Puzzlement drew No. 7; and Sarava drew No. 12 on the far outside. Perfect Drift also was entered and drew No. 6.
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Bob Baffert is excited about War Emblem's Triple Crown pursuit -- but he's excited for the horse. 
