The third and final leg of the Triple Crown is set to run on Saturday at Belmont Park with a full field of sixteen three-year-old colts and geldings looking to get a piece of the $1000.000 purse.

There are a few new faces in the longest race of the triple crown, going a mile and one half, that were not in the first two legs, a couple who skipped the Preakness to either take a break or try other avenues and then of course there are the other nine who are once again hoping to a piece of the crown jewel.

Ghost Walker is back once again hoping to achieve the same success he did in the Kentucky Derby when he won the Run for the Roses by four easy lengths. He came back to run third in the Preakness, only getting beaten by a length.  He appears no worse for wear after the exhausting race schedule he has been on the past month, working a 1:24.1 breeze just last week. He should once again be tough for EasyMoney Stables and will no doubt be right there when the group cross the finish line.

The winner of the Preakness is also back to challenge for what would be his second win in the Triple Crown series. Like Now from Emerald Racing surprised a few on the third Saturday in March after a very disappointing run in the Kentucky Derby where he finished eighth by seven lengths. He did not let history repeat itself in the Preakness though when he made an incredible move turning for home to get the second leg win by one length.

The rest of the field has some very strong talent which is to be expected in such a classic race. The rest is as follows:

1   Laffin Policeman

The second place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, many were disappointed with this Diablo Diablo entry when he ran sixth by five lengths in the Preakness. I feel there is a lot of fight left in this colt and he is not one to leave out.

2   Ghost Walker

Kentucky Derby winner by four easy lengths, the EasyMoney Stables colt then came back to run third in the Preakness by a mere length. He will be one to watch for once again, especially with the added distance and once again getting an inside post.

3   Out For A Duck

This will be his first appearance in the Triple Crown series for the Blushing Meadows entry after just winning the Peter Pan by a quarter of a length at the start of May. His works do not appear to be as fast as the others and whether he can handle the distance or not is questionable. He is a long shot.

 4   Like Now

Preakness winner from Emerald Racing finally has an inside post here in the Belmont and it should do nothing but help this gelding. He will love the distance and should prove to be very tough.

5   Break Dancer

While he was running so strong coming into the Triple Crown series, he has done nothing but disappoint in the first two legs finishing last by twenty lengths in the Kentucky Derby and beating one in the Preakness. There is no doubt that owner Diablo Diablo is praying for a fast track for his talented colt and by looking at the weather forecast, he just might get his wish. Whether that will make enough of a difference to get him across the finish line first is probably unlikely.

6   Western Red Cedar

Whitewater Stables is hoping that the added distance of the Belmont is just what this colt needs to get the win. While he will love this distance, there are much other tougher competition in here so he might have a hard time getting the win.

7   Flextime

Barcelona Farms chose to skip the Preakness with this gelding after running fifth by six lengths in the Kentucky Derby. He was so strong heading into the first leg of the crown jewels so maybe with that layoff he will be back in top form on Saturday. He just could pull off the upset.

8   Tartan Bearer

After showing very little in the first two legs, Saratoga Stud is also no doubt hoping for a fast track for his colt.  Looking at his form it appears as though he should love the distance but it is very clear he does not love the off track. While it is doubtful that he will get the win, look for him to show a little more in here on Saturday.

9   Rebellion

This Meat stables colt came into the Kentucky Derby with two wins in a row but has shown nothing in the first two legs. He obviously dislikes the off going but the competition might be a bit too much for him as well.

10   Giants Victory

This will be his first showing in the Triple Crown races for the Calia Stable colt after skipping the first two to run in the LS Derby instead finishing fourth by a quarter of a length. Distance is definitely a question with him because he does not appear as though he will be able to handle the mile and one half route.

11   Social Reject

Coming into the Derby this Alydar Stables colt looked strong but he has shown nothing in the first two legs finishing nineteenth by nineteen lengths in the Kentucky Derby and last by twenty six lengths in the Preakness. He will be little threat on Saturday.

12   Sweet Talkin Jed

After a poor showing in the Kentucky Derby, this Blushing Meadows colt came back to run second in the Preakness after leading for the majority of the race. Distance will definitely be a factor on Saturday.

13   Storm Spirit

Ken Allan skipped the Preakness after his colt had a poor showing in the Kentucky Derby finishing fifteenth by fourteen lengths. Distance will also be a factor for this one.

14   Frankfurt

Alabarda Stables also chose to skip the Preakness with his gelding after finishing twelfth by nine lengths in the derby. He should do well at this distance if he can hit a fast track.

15   Morning Waves

Drabfantasy also skipped the Preakness after a sixteen length loss in the derby to take a shot in The Dixie stakes against the older horses. However it did not work out very well for his young colt, he finished last by twelve lengths. The colt has some talent but he just might not be this calibre of horse.

16   Coeur de Lionne

This is Emerald Racings second entry in here. This gelding skipped both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, instead going into the LS Derby where he just got up to get the win by .05 seconds. While he does show some talent he is quite inconsistent so depending on which horse shows up at post time will determine if he can handle the distance, the outside post and the extremely tough competition.

Alberta Rose Picks:

2/4/12/3