Belmont Stakes 2011 makes runner-up stigma

Elmont, NY - Scott Blasi was ecstatic with the final second Nehra and near the Louisiana Derby against 36-1. Felt the same to copy the performance of carbon colt Arkansas Derby - a second by a neck.

When the son of mine shafts, the Horse of the Year 2003, continued these efforts in the second, this time in the Kentucky Derby since Blasi euphoria gave way to disappointment.

"How can you be disappointed when running second in the Kentucky Derby?, Said Blasi, assistant trainer Steve Asmussen.

Apparently, it depends on the perspective.

Nehra, a late development, or a horse with talent, but with luck or a bad case of seconditis, finding ways to lose instead of finding what it takes to win. Belmont Stakes Saturday, when 143 comes with Nehra, winning a race of his career, after being installed as option 1. 4 seconds behind Kentucky Derby winner animal kingdom after the post position draw today at Belmont Park.

These values ​​are placed slightly ahead of Shackleford Preakness winner, the 9-2 third choice on the morning line for the field of 12 for the last leg of the Triple Crown. 1/2-mile time of publication of "Test of Champions" is 6:35

"If you are not satisfied with finishing second in the Louisiana Derby, second in the Arkansas Derby and then second in the Kentucky Derby after breaking the girl, do not think that is the bar too high?" , said Toby Sheets, who oversees Asmussen chain in New York. "We are very pleased with what he did."

Blasi, who was deputy chief for much of his career Nehra, said otherwise.

"He made $ 800,000, plus their last four games," he said. "Some days worse than that in this game."

And it's not as if even that much is expected of the horse.

According to Bloodhorse. com, owner Ahmed Zayat and Teaneck resident spent $ 24,500,000 for 77 horses in 2009, Nehra a group of companies a whopping $ 170,000.

"I think it's fair to say that surprised us. I think Mr. Zayat in accordance with that," Blasi said. "It is developing its own, but does so at a rapid pace. Maybe it was bad luck on several occasions, but their thinking Kentucky Derby was excellent and an indication of what kind of horse he is."

Limited to one in early December in two years, Nehra has improved considerably since he broke his first 4 1 / 2 lengths on Feb. 21. Well known for its late manifestations, Nehra close early in the Kentucky Derby and looked like a winner, the animal roared by him.

"We feel very good about what he did," said Blasi. "He's still figuring things out. We will try to help with minor modifications. I have changed. We try to make it run a bit more directly to the head. The little things like that.

"But I think it's unfair to criticize the horse because he has finished second three times. It is a very good horse with a lot of heart.'ve Come a long way in a short time. C 'is what people forget."