NEW YORK (AP) – Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo put in his final workout before Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, and trainer John Shirreffs pronounced his gray colt ready to head East for the final leg of the Triple Crown.

“He went out there with his regular workmate, Bullistic, and he did what we wanted,” Shirreffs said Sunday from Hollywood Park, where Giacomo breezed six furlongs in 1:14 4/5 under exercise rider Sabina Siebel. “He targeted that horse and went right by. The work went very well.”

Giacomo, who finished third behind Afleet Alex in the Preakness on May 21, is scheduled to arrive at Belmont Park on Wednesday.

The 1-mile Belmont could have a field of 11 3-year-olds when post positions are drawn Wednesday.

Afleet Alex, the likely favorite, was out on the Belmont track for the first time since arriving from Baltimore on Saturday. The colt jogged 11/2 miles and then galloped 11/2 miles under exercise rider Salomon Diego.

“He’s doing great,” trainer Tim Ritchey said.

Trainer Nick Zito is expected to enter three horses in the race, Andromeda’s Hero (eighth in the Derby), Sir Barton Stakes winner Pinpoint and allowance race winner Indy Storm.

Zito entered a record-tying five horses in the Derby and a record-equaling three horses in the Preakness without a top three finish.

Other Belmont contenders include A.P. Arrow, Chekhov, Nolan’s Cat, Reverberate, Southern Africa and Watchmon.

Southern Africa, winner of the Lone Star Derby, had his final Belmont tuneup Sunday at Arlington Park, working six furlongs in 1:13.

“He galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25 and we’re ready to roll,” trainer Michael Puhich said. “He’s going to van to Louisville and fly out of there.”

Trainer Sal Russo said Sunday he’s “leaning towards entering” Reverberate in the Belmont. Reverberate finished second in last weekend’s Peter Pan Stakes.

AP-ES-06-05-05 1829EDT

Copy the Story Link