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Quick early pace could hurt War Emblem Posted: Thursday June 06, 2002 9:52 AMNEW YORK (AP) -- Running 1 1/2 miles in the Belmont Stakes is tough enough for 3-year-old colts, who may never go that far again. But doing so at a fast early pace could hurt War Emblem's chances, and open Saturday's race for Medaglia d'Oro, Perfect Drift and Sunday Break - horses who run just off the lead. Or it could help closers like Magic Weisner, Puzzlement and Sarava. "We're all trying to beat each other," trainer Bob Baffert said. "There's no gimmes in this one." Especially since War Emblem is chasing the Triple Crown. A victory would be worth $600,000 to Baffert and owner Prince Ahmed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia. The colt would also earn a $5 million bonus from Visa USA for sweeping the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont. "We're going to make him work for it" said Ken McPeek, who trains Sarava, a 20-1 long shot. "They aren't going to hand him $5 million." War Emblem will take on 11 challengers as he tries to become the first Triple Crown winner in 24 years. On Wednesday, War Emblem drew the No. 10 post position and was installed the even-money favorite in the morning line. Proud Citizen, second in the Derby and third in the Preakness, was the second choice at 5-1, with Sunday Break next at 6-1. "There's some good speed horses in there, but that's part of the game," Baffert said. "My horse just breaks and goes out there. I just hope he has enough in the tank at the end." War Emblem is expected to be pressured early by Wiseman's Ferry, the Lone Star Derby winner with a running style similar to War Emblem. "A lot of people are counting on Wiseman's Ferry to sort of put us in the tank," Baffert conceded. "When you're going 11/2 miles, there is no rehearsing for this." War Emblem has won four in a row, and six of nine career starts. The speedy black colt won the Derby with a gate-to-wire run, then took the Preakness by hanging behind a quick pace and holding off Magic Weisner in the stretch. "You've got to hook him early, then run him down in the end," said Bobby Frankel, who trains Medaglia d'Oro. "That's how it will happen." Medaglia d'Oro was fourth in the Derby and eighth in the Preakness. "I think going a mile and a half on a big sandy track is going to take its toll," Frankel said. "I'm very confident in my horse." Frankel sees Wiseman's Ferry as the key. "He's part of the reason I entered," he said. "I can't see either one of them taking back, and Proud Citizen is not going to sit back, either." Baffert is well aware of the Niall O'Callaghan-trained Wiseman's Ferry, who missed the Derby and Preakness but has put together consecutive wire-to-wire wins. "He'll be a thorn in our side," Baffert said. "He looked impressive in winning his last race, and Niall's done a great job with him." Wiseman's Ferry, with Jorge Chavez, is listed at 20-1 and leaves from the No. 3 post. The colt, along with War Emblem, Proud Citizen and Perfect Drift, arrived at Belmont Park on Wednesday after being shipped from Louisville, Ky. O'Callaghan said his horse isn't running just to wear down War Emblem for someone else. "I'm counting on him to win for me," O'Callaghan said. "I can't worry about what other people want us to do." Six horses join the Triple Crown trail for the first time -- Artax Too, Like A Hero, Puzzlement, Sarava, Sunday Break and Wiseman's Ferry. Though post position means less in the Belmont than in the Derby and Preakness, Baffert was happy for the outside post, where War Emblem has a better chance of dictating the pace. "Most of the speed is on the inside, and sure they may try different tactics," he said. "If Wiseman's Ferry and War Emblem hook up early, I just hope they don't go too fast. War Emblem's a very aggressive horse -- he wants to get it on." The field, from the rail out, is: Artax Too (Jose Santos, 50-1); Like A Hero (Pat Day, 30-1); Wiseman's Ferry (Chavez, 20-1); Essence of Dubai (Jerry Bailey, 30-1); Sunday Break (Gary Stevens, 6-1); Perfect Drift (Eddie Delahoussaye, 8-1); Puzzlement (Jean-Luc Samyn 30-1); Medaglia d'Oro (Kent Desormeaux, 10-1); Proud Citizen (Mike Smith, 5-1); War Emblem (Victor Espinoza, even); Magic Weisner (Richard Migliore, 15-1); and Sarava (Edgar Prado, 30-1). |
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