The Belmont Stakes is suddenly a wide-open field.
Preakness Stakes winner Lookin At Lucky is one and done, and Super Saver won't be looking for old glory.
Bob Baffert said Sunday morning his young colt, a day after capturing the trainer's fifth Preakness championship, wasn't fit for running the mile-and-a-half Belmont next month in Elmont, N.Y.
"If we were going for the Triple Crown, I would take him," Baffert told reporters, according to The Baltimore Sun. "But I want to take him home and freshen him up. I ran him real hard as a 2-year-old. He deserves a little rest."
Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, a co-favorite who faded early to finish eighth Saturday in the Preakness, also won't be entered into the June 5 race, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed to ESPN's Jeannine Edwards.
Lookin At Lucky turned Baffert's jockey change after the Derby into stuff of legend, as he won by three quarters of a length over First Dude, tying the trainer with D. Wayne Lukas for second all-time in Preakness wins.
"When he hit the wire, I was just thinking 'Man, you deserve it, you little fighter,' " Baffert said Sunday, according to The Sun. "He's such a warrior."
Baffert opted to go with 25-year-old Martin Garcia in place of veteran Garrett Gomez, who had struggled through several big races dating to last year. The move helped break a seven-year Triple Crown drought for Baffert.
"I love Pimlico the morning after you win," he said. "Smells like victory."
ESPN.com news services
Preakness Stakes winner Lookin At Lucky is one and done, and Super Saver won't be looking for old glory.
Bob Baffert said Sunday morning his young colt, a day after capturing the trainer's fifth Preakness championship, wasn't fit for running the mile-and-a-half Belmont next month in Elmont, N.Y.
"If we were going for the Triple Crown, I would take him," Baffert told reporters, according to The Baltimore Sun. "But I want to take him home and freshen him up. I ran him real hard as a 2-year-old. He deserves a little rest."
Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, a co-favorite who faded early to finish eighth Saturday in the Preakness, also won't be entered into the June 5 race, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed to ESPN's Jeannine Edwards.
Lookin At Lucky turned Baffert's jockey change after the Derby into stuff of legend, as he won by three quarters of a length over First Dude, tying the trainer with D. Wayne Lukas for second all-time in Preakness wins.
"When he hit the wire, I was just thinking 'Man, you deserve it, you little fighter,' " Baffert said Sunday, according to The Sun. "He's such a warrior."
Baffert opted to go with 25-year-old Martin Garcia in place of veteran Garrett Gomez, who had struggled through several big races dating to last year. The move helped break a seven-year Triple Crown drought for Baffert.
"I love Pimlico the morning after you win," he said. "Smells like victory."
ESPN.com news services
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