Home » Derby Culture » Twitter Updates on 2015 Belmont Stakes Contenders

Twitter Updates on 2015 Belmont Stakes Contenders

Reinier Macatangay
On May 31, 2015

Twitter Updates on 2015 Belmont Stakes Contenders: Reports indicate that American Pharoah continues to train well at Churchill Downs and hold his weight in preparation for the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes. In this picture on Twitter, his ears seem to be pricked and he gives the impression of a healthy horse. Trainer Bob Baffert is overseeing his conditioning in person. The official Churchill Downs account posted that assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes said “Everything is super positive.” According to Blood-Horse, American Pharoah is scheduled to breeze tomorrow morning.

Keen Ice’s camp hopes to spoil American Pharoah’s Triple Crown hopes on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Belmont Park. On the official Donegal Racing Twitter, they display plenty of enthusiasm.

Keen Ice’s camp hopes to spoil American Pharoah’s Triple Crown hopes. On the official Donegal Racing Twitter, they display plenty of enthusiasm: “Can’t wait to contest for spoiler in the Belmont! Keen Ice has the distance pedigree and the rest that are critical to win. Very excited!” A picture was retweeted of Keen Ice galloping two miles yesterday.

Mubtaahij plans to give challenging American Pharoah another shot next weekend, and he worked five furlongs in 1:00.05 yesterday. The stamina-filled colt has been working quite a bit, with six official workouts recorded for May. Trainer Michael de Kock elected once again not to give Mubtaahij lasix. Also, there is a Twitter account for fans of Mubtaahij with the username “LasixFree.” Irad Ortiz takes the mount on Mubtaahij for the Belmont.

Trainer Dallas Stewart wrote yesterday that Tale of Verve “looks (great) after his (work) 59 galloped out 113.0.” Also, on May 27 the official Belmont Stakes Twitter posted a cute video of Tale of Verve in his stall. The late-running son of Tale of Ekati will receive help in the race from jockey Gary Stevens, who knows how the Belmont works by now and can plot a good strategy for his ride.

Madefromlucky, or whoever runs Madefromlucky’s account, informed followers that he worked in company with fellow Belmont contender Carpe Diem on May 29. Despite a few reminders from the exercise rider, Carpe Diem held the clear advantage throughout the stretch run. Some tweets later, Madefromlucky retweeted a post from experienced clocker “Racingwithbruno,” who wrote “Madefromlucky is sharpening his speed for longer in these works and because he can’t finish with a speed horse like ‘Diem is no knock.”

Carpe Diem’s Twitter account was recently deleted. As written above, he worked well and remains a likely starter for the Belmont. His official time for the team work was 47.66 for four furlongs.

On the same morning Madefromlucky and Carpe Diem worked, Materiality was sent out with Stanford (not running in the Belmont). Stanford held the slightest of advantages on the outside, although Stanford worked fast prior to his initial purchase at Barretts Equine Limited 2014 March Sale and is a sharp morning horse. Materiality was credited with 47.78 for four furlongs.

The beautiful Frosted went out for a spin on May 29 as well, working in 47.84 seconds for four furlongs. He held the advantage over his workmate Tamarkus throughout the drill. Someone who worked with Frosted’s dam Fast Cookie runs the Frosted account.

Perhaps the most forgotten Belmont contender, a Frammento Twitter exists and the horse worked in 48 flat for his final major preparation. Most of the status updates and retweeted articles remind followers about trainer Nick Zito’s past success in this race. Zito spoiled Smarty Jones’ Triple Crown bid with Birdstone in 2004 and Big Brown’s attempt in 2008 with the impossible Da’ Tara. His final odds at post will resemble Da’ Tara’s 38/1 odds. On a positive note, veteran Mike Smith decides to give this colt a shot.

The Truth or Else is the last known Belmont contender to emerge. Trainer Kenny McPeek won this race with Sarava in 2002, upsetting War Emblem’s Triple Crown dreams. According to one tweet on Handicappers Edge, which McPeek retweeted, The Truth or Else is bigger and stronger than Sarava. He also retweeted a nine second video of The Truth or Else standing docile in his stall. Edgar Prado will ride, and he rode Birdstone in his 2004 upset.

The 147th running of the belmont Stakes takes place on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The third and final jewel of the Triple Crown will be the eleventh race scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET and will air on NBC. See full stakes schedule.

Follow Reinier on twitter.
Follow Lady and The Track on twitter.