Belmont Stakes may be true 'Test of the Champion'
June 10, 2011NEW YORK (AP) - Even without a Triple Crown on the line, the 143rd Belmont Stakes may indeed be the ``Test of the Champion.''
Saturday's final leg of the Triple Crown features not only the rubber match between Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Preakness winner Shackleford, but the top seven finishers from the Derby for the first time as well.
Animal Kingdom is the 2-1 favorite in a field of 12 3-year-olds as he attempts to become the 12th horse to complete a Derby-Belmont double. The last to succeed was Thunder Gulch in 1995.
Shackleford is the 9-2 third choice behind Derby runner-up Nehro, who is 4-1.
Animal Kingdom's trainer Graham Motion says his colt seems to be in great form, and is giving him every indication of another solid performance.