Final preparations for Test of Champions

Horseracing Betting Lines

06/04/2010 - Elmont, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The day before the running of the 142nd Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, several of the 12 horses entered in the race had final preparations for the contest.

Ice Box and Fly Down, both trained by Nick Zito, went to the track to become familiar with the starting gate and then galloped on the 1 1/2-mile oval.

"Obviously, Ice Box has a great kick," Zito said about the Kentucky Derby runner-up. "I don't want to do anything to compromise his style of running. I've seen that before, changing styles, and it never works. Never, never, never. I hope he gets in position where he can run his race; that's all we can hope for. And, basically, he and Fly Down are the same type of horse.

"I guess everyone is going to pay attention to First Dude. He's got a good post (11) because he'll probably try and gallop out there. But I wouldn't change my horses' styles. I just hope my horses run the same way they have been."

Trainer Dale Romans had First Dude gallop around Belmont Park Friday morning. The Preakness runner-up is the 7-2 second choice in the program behind Ice Box.

"We're definitely going to be on, or close, to the lead," Romans said. "If someone wants to get out of their game and set him down inside of us, we'll let him go and sit right off.

"This horse doesn't have to be on the lead. If they let him get three-quarters in 1:14 like Seattle Slew, he'll be tough to catch. I don't think there's anyone in there that wants to sacrifice themselves and get out of their game and go chase him."

Stay Put, 20-1 in the morning-line, took to the track for trainer Steve Margolis. The chestnut colt galloped once around Belmont Park on Friday.

"Everything went well this morning," Margolis noted, "and we're excited and looking forward to it very much. We haven't plotted out the strategy, and we'll see what the weather looks like and figure out what we want to do."

Also taking a gallop around Belmont Park was Lone Star Derby winner Game On Dude.

"He's a very laid-back horse," trainer Bob Baffert indicated about the gelding. "He's got a good mind. He's very plain. But he's matured since I've had him, and, he gets over this track really well. It only took him one time around to get used to it."

The updated weather forecast for the Belmont Stakes calls for 50 percent chance of rain with variable clouds and scattered thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Post-time temperature around 85 and winds Southwest at 10 to 20 m.p.h.

Post-time for the race is set for 6:32 p.m. (et).

Sportslne Horseracing Betting News

<< Siem and Dodt share Wales Open lead
Newport, Wales (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Germany's Marcel Siem shot a four-under 67 and Australia's Andrew Dodt had a one-under 70 to share the second-round lead Friday at the Wales Open. The duo finished 36 holes on the Celtic Manor course a

<< Essien inks new Chelsea contract
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chelsea enforcer Michael Essien has been handed a new contract that will keep him at the Premier League champions until the end of the 2014-15 campaign. The news will come as a boost to the Ghana interna

<< Rays activate catcher Shoppach
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays have reinstated catcher Kelly Shoppach from the 15-day disabled list. Shoppach had been sidelined since April 11, undergoing surgery April 19 to repair the meniscus in his right knee

<< Back sidelines Shockey from start of minicamp
METAIRIE, La. (AP) -Saints coach Sean Payton says Jeremy Shockey unexpectedly sat out the first practice of minicamp because of a recent onset of back spasms.Payton says Shockey's absence from practice had nothing to do with the star tight end's hos

<< Mass. gov raising funds with Lakers' Magic Johnson
BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts Gov. Deval (deh-VAL') Patrick is taking advantage of the NBA Finals being played in Boston to hold a re-election campaign fundraiser featuring Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson.The hoops legend and

Tallon's team rolls on without him >>
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Dale Tallon is the architect of this version of the Chicago Blackhawks that has the best chance of ending the NHL's longest current Stanley Cup championship drought.Only Tallon isn't part of the club anymore. After making most of

Mets disable Castillo, designate Matthews >>
Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Mets have placed second baseman Luis Castillo on the disabled list, retroactive to June 2, with a bruised right heel. Castillo underwent an MRI Thursday which was negative. He apparently s

Union, Fire both in search of third win >>
Bridgeview, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between the Philadelphia Union and the Chicago Fire will be a match between two-win clubs hoping to get on track. The Fire (2-3-4) were one of the favorites in th

NL East: Strasburg debut coming at right time for Nationals >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Everyone who follows baseball knew that Stephen Strasburg's 2010 debut for the Washington Nationals was a matter of when, not if. Now we all know the date -- Tuesday, June 8 versus the Pittsburgh Pirates -- and it couldn't

World Cup: Breaking down Group H >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Spain captured the Euro 2008 title to end a 44-year drought in major competitions, and enters the 2010 World Cup as one of the favorites alongside Brazil. Spain's starting 11 is easily the best in the Worl

Kurt Warner to start, Matt Leinart to watch

Despite the debate that's swirling , Kurt Warner will remain the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, coach Dennis Green said today. The Arizona Cardinals are the +7 point underdog at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com for this Sunday's game.

Green's comment came in a statement released by the team following an ESPN report that Green decided that rookie Matt Leinart would replace Warner as starter for Sunday's game at Atlanta.

"Generally talking about the starting lineup is not something we do," Green told the AP. "However, given the speculation that was out there we want to make it clear. We're disappointed after last week, but we still expect to be a playoff football team and we fully expect Kurt Warner to be the quarterback that leads us. That has not changed."

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on football needs.