The Test of Champions-Belmont Stakes

The Belmont Stakes is known as "The Test of Champions." Moniker is mainly due to the long, 1-1/2 mile Belmont, but a career in the racing calendar also makes it a test of endurance and stamina.

The Kentucky Derby is traditionally on the first Saturday in May. The Preakness two weeks later. After three weeks between the second and the third part of the Triple Crown. This series of three grueling races in just five weeks after the spring is also an attempt to get to the races, including the Florida Derby, Louisiana Derby, Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, and others. And these are just the latest Preps, usually two, three or four races before that, in most prior to the Triple Crown campaign.

Legendary trainer Charlie Whittingham once said thoroughbreds are like strawberries - can go wrong, that the device is about you. So you can imagine how special talent and must be a horse to survive only on the Triple Crown with 12 Furlong Belmont.

A closer look at the candidates in the race for the Saturday shows this point. Shortly before the race and my favorite Bird D. Wayne Lukas-trained Flying private programs have started in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. The animal will give me their fifth year after the launch to prepare for the Derby in the Sub-Major League oval Sunland Park near El Paso, Texas. Iron Horse Private Flying is his ninth year and is only Belmont starters have competed in every month of 2009.

Sweet chocolate, Dunkirk, Mr material and the hot summer of birds in the Derby but skipped the Preakness. Luv government began in the Preakness but lost the Derby. A man of love and escape miners have their first appearances in a career Triple Crown.

In the last ten Runnings Belmont only Afleet Alex in 2005 and the views of the year 2001, the Belmont after the start in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. The last two winners, Da 'Tara in the past year and the filly Rags to riches in 2007 were newcomers to the Triple Crown.