Street Sense Will Skip Belmont Stakes

Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense is skipping the Belmont Stakes depriving horse racing fans of a rematch with Preakness winner Curlin on June 9 at Belmont Park.

Carl Nafzger said he and owner James Tafel debated for two hours the viability of sending the colt to New York for thefinal leg of the Triple Crown. Street Sense will skip the Belmont and instead Nafzger will point him toward the Travers Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Classic later this year.

“The competitive side said ‘Go,”‘ Nafzger said. “The logical side said ‘No, no, no.”‘

Street Sense was healthy enough to tackle the 1 1/2 -mile Belmont, Nafzger said. But when the dreams of a Triple Crown evaporated in the final yards of the Preakness two weeks ago, Tafel decided to try another route at history.

The Travers is Aug. 25 at Saratoga. The Breeders’ Cup Classic is Oct. 27 at Monmouth Park.

Nafzger said there was concern Street Sense wouldn’t have time to properly prepare for the Travers if he ran the Belmont. The horse will be able to rest and compete in one or two races between now and the Travers, including the Jim Dandy.

With Street Sense out, odds to win the Belmont Stakes could favor Curlin and Hard Spun.

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"Street Sense Will Skip Belmont Stakes" was posted on 31 May 2007 9:51 PM under Belmont Stakes, Horses, Race Tracks, Racing Picks & Betting Tips, Stakes Races, Triple Crown

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