On this Friday morning one day before the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes let's look around the Inter-Google and see what others are saying about Saturday's third leg of horse racing's Triple Crown.
Rick Snider: Waiting for next Crowning achievement | Rick Snider | Sports | Washington Examiner
The Triple Crown drought will reach 33 years Saturday when Preakness Stakes winner Shackleford and Kentucky Derby champion Animal Kingdom race in the 143rd Belmont Stakes.
Will American racing ever produce a 12th Triple Crown champion? Is it even possible with so many great stallions sold to overseas breeders and with American foal crops falling to half their 1980s levels?
The Belmont ends another lackluster series of spring classics. Animal Kingdom and Shackleford did nothing before the Triple Crown; this generation of 3-year-old colts smells of one-shot wonders. With kingpin Uncle Mo on the mend from a rare liver disease, 2011 will be dismissed like many recent years for producing forgettable races.
It just so happens that I have known the writer of this piece for more than 30 years, and I only have one thing to say to my long-time friend. Gee, Rick, thanks for stomping all over our enthusiasm for this meeting between winners of the first two legs of the Triple Crown. You probably have a point, but did you really have to?
Belmont Stakes 2011: Stay Thirsty Has The Home Track Advantage - SBNation.com
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Belmont Stakes: Brilliant Speed trainer Tom Albertrani hunting for glory on home turf - ESPN New York
Bernardini went on to win the Travers Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup, and was named the top 3-year-old male horse of 2006. A success in his budding career at stud, Bernardini has sired Stay Thirsty, one of 11 horses Albertrani will be trying to beat in Saturday's $1 million Belmont Stakes with his horse, Blue Grass winner Brilliant Speed. "They're so hard to come by," Albertrani said of earning a jewel in the Crown. "You don't have a horse that's going to be in a Triple Crown race every year. When you have one, you're very fortunate. I was very fortunate to have Bernardini. Brilliant Speed and King Congie [seventh in the Preakness] this year, they both came into the Derby picture very late. It's nice having a horse of that caliber in your barn and being able to participate in these races."
Mucho Macho Man has shown up -- and competed -- in each Triple Crown race - KansasCity.com
His pedigree suggests the Belmont's 11/2 miles won't be an issue. And if Mucho Macho Man can get his long, grinding strides in full gear and not get too far back, Reeves believes the racing world is going to see the start of something special.
"Well we know we have a tough horse and he has quickness, he has stamina," Reeves said. "We just haven't gotten him in that right situation yet to really prove what type of horse he is. I do believe he is the best 3-year-old in the country, and when we get to the end of the year, I hope he's proven that."
Nehro still looking for big win - Times Union
If you look at the way a horse named Nehro ran in the Kentucky Derby, then for sure you would say he'll be a factor in Saturday's Belmont Stakes.