Belmont Stakes

Five story lines to watch in the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday: 1. How will Animal Kingdom handle the sandy track at Belmont Park? It seemed as if Animal Kingdom had put to rest any questions about how comfortable he is running on dirt after his impressive win at the Kentucky Derby. When he fell well back going around the first turn in the Preakness, though, it was clear that having a considerable amount of dirt and mud kicked in his face bothered him. Trainer Graham Motion said this week that he didn't blame jockey John Velazquez for putting the colt in that position.

Reporting from Elmont, N.Y. A wild and unpredictable Triple Crown season came to an appropriately stunning conclusion Saturday as 24-1 longshot Ruler On Ice won the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes. Ruler On Ice, a gelding who didn't run in either the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness and was wearing blinkers for the first time, sat just off the lead for most of the race, and then jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. let him surge to the lead with a quarter of a mile to go. The temperamental but talented colt ran hard to the wire, holding off Stay Thirsty (second)

Post positions, as drawn Thursday for the final leg of the Triple Crown on Saturday: PP Horse Jockey Odds 1. Citadeed Maple 8 2. Off'n'away Smith 12 3. Pana Brass Ramos 50 4. Is Sveikatas Chavez 50 5. Ave's Flag Velasquez 30 6. Composer Bailey 20 7. Wild Syn Romero 20 8. Colonial Secretary Santos 50 9. Knockadoon McCarron 15 10. Thunder Gulch Stevens 2 11. Timber Country Day 6-5 12. Star Standard Krone 6 * Weights: 126 pounds

Five story lines to watch in the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday: 1. How will Animal Kingdom handle the sandy track at Belmont Park? It seemed as if Animal Kingdom had put to rest any questions about how comfortable he is running on dirt after his impressive win at the Kentucky Derby. When he fell well back going around the first turn in the Preakness, though, it was clear that having a considerable amount of dirt and mud kicked in his face bothered him. Trainer Graham Motion said this week that he didn't blame jockey John Velazquez for putting the colt in that position.

The New York Racing Assn. said Monday it is facing a cash crunch that could threaten the Belmont Stakes and thoroughbred horse racing's Triple Crown because the state government still hasn't approved video slot machines at the Aqueduct racetrack. NYRA President Charlie Hayward said that unless state lawmakers agree to get video slots up and running soon at Aqueduct, the NYRA may need another $30-million bailout from the state to save the racing season at Belmont, which includes the storied final leg of the Triple Crown.

For a change, Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito has the favorite for the $1 million Belmont Stakes in New York. A two-time Belmont winner with longshots Birdstone in 2004 and Da' Tara in 2008, Zito has two of the three top choices for Saturday's final leg of the Triple Crown: Ice Box is the 3-1 morning-line choice and his other starter, Fly Down, is the 9-2 third choice. A field of 12 was entered Wednesday for a Belmont that will be run without Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver or Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky.

Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra will not run in the Belmont Stakes, opening the way for jockey Calvin Borel to return to Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in his quest for a personal Triple Crown. Jess Jackson, Rachel Alexandra's co-owner, said Friday the spectacular filly "deserves a well-earned vacation." Rachel Alexandra, the first filly to win the Preakness in 85 years, had been set to work out Monday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, and no announcement was expected until after that.

Reporting from Elmont, N.Y. A wild and unpredictable Triple Crown season came to an appropriately stunning conclusion Saturday as 24-1 longshot Ruler On Ice won the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes. Ruler On Ice, a gelding who didn't run in either the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness and was wearing blinkers for the first time, sat just off the lead for most of the race, and then jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. let him surge to the lead with a quarter of a mile to go. The temperamental but talented colt ran hard to the wire, holding off Stay Thirsty (second)

Times staff writer Bob Mieszerski takes a look at the starters in the 129th Belmont Stakes, in post position order: FACTS * Post: 2:30 p.m. PDT. Weights: 126 pounds. Distance: 1 1/2 miles. Purse: $721,000 if 7 start. First: $432,600. Second: $144,200. Third: $79,310. * TOUCH GOLD: Jockey--Chris McCarron; Trainer--David Hofmans; Owner--Frank Stronach and Stonerside Ltd. * SILVER CHARM: Jockey--Gary Stevens; Trainer--Bob Baffert; Owner--Bob and Beverly Lewis.

There will be four stakes run during an 11-race card Saturday at Hollywood Park and an 11 a.m. first post in conjunction with the simulcast of the Belmont Stakes. In addition, 25 gourmet food trucks will be at the Inglewood track beginning at 10 a.m. as part of a food truck festival. The featured stakes is the $250,000 Grade I Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on the turf. Acclamation, a 5-year-old son of Unusual Heat, will try to become the first horse to win both the Jim Murray Memorial Handicap and the Whittingham Handicap twice.

For a change, Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito has the favorite for the $1 million Belmont Stakes in New York. A two-time Belmont winner with longshots Birdstone in 2004 and Da' Tara in 2008, Zito has two of the three top choices for Saturday's final leg of the Triple Crown: Ice Box is the 3-1 morning-line choice and his other starter, Fly Down, is the 9-2 third choice. A field of 12 was entered Wednesday for a Belmont that will be run without Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver or Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky.

Alphie's Bet, once considered a Kentucky Derby hopeful, is giving his connections new aspirations for the Triple Crown trail. "The Belmont Stakes is one of the things that [trainer] Alexis [Barba] has on the possible agenda because we think he can go longer," co-owner Peter Johnson said. Alphie's Bet certainly looked like a 3-year-old who might enjoy running 1 ½ miles after toying with his seven challengers in winning Saturday's $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes by 2¼ lengths at Hollywood Park.

The New York Racing Assn. said Monday it is facing a cash crunch that could threaten the Belmont Stakes and thoroughbred horse racing's Triple Crown because the state government still hasn't approved video slot machines at the Aqueduct racetrack. NYRA President Charlie Hayward said that unless state lawmakers agree to get video slots up and running soon at Aqueduct, the NYRA may need another $30-million bailout from the state to save the racing season at Belmont, which includes the storied final leg of the Triple Crown.

Hall of Fame jockey Ismael "Milo" Valenzuela, who won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 1958 and 1968 and retired with a remarkable 2,545 overall triumphs, died Wednesday at his Arcadia home after a lengthy illness. He was 74. Valenzuela, one of 22 children born to parents who had immigrated to the United States from Mexico, rose to prominence at Southern California racetracks before branching out to become nationally famous. He had a powerful yet smooth style, comparable to that of the legendary Eddie Arcaro, and was known as being especially capable aboard feisty 2-year-olds.

Rachel Alexandra sped around the far turn and rolled past the boys once again Sunday to win the $1.25-million Haskell Invitational, establishing herself as one of the greatest fillies in thoroughbred racing. When the regal bay filly returned to the winner's circle with Calvin Borel patting her neck, the Monmouth Park crowd of 37,090 cheered mightily for racing's brightest star.

The Belmont Stakes has always had a cruel and sneaky sense of humor. The track nicknamed "Big Sandy" is so gorgeous and picturesque that it almost encourages its competitors to dream big, right before it punches them in the face, steals their wallet and breaks their heart. Few jockeys understand this better than Kent Desormeaux, a 39-year-old Hall of Famer who twice has had a Triple Crown snatched from his grasp on the 1 1/2 -mile New York track.

Jerry Hissam, Calvin Borel's close friend and longtime agent, was a little exasperated after the Preakness. Reporters were peppering him with questions about Borel, who had just won the second jewel of the 2009 Triple Crown, and he was trying to come up with a dignified way of saying what was on the tip of everyone's tongue: Isn't it about time the racing community figured out that Borel -- even at age 42 -- is one of the best jockeys in the sport?