Sports

Field of 15 possible for Belmont Stakes

If all 15 horses under consideration for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes run, it would tie the largest field in the race’s 145-year history. Only once before, in 1983, did as many as 15 run for the white carnations.

“[The large field is] more concerning than anything else because not all of them in there belong,” said Shug McGaughey, who trains Kentucky Derby winner Orb, the likely Belmont favorite. “But they have as much right to run as anybody else, so I do think the race will be pretty spread out. [Orb] ran with 18 in the Derby.”

Always in a Tiz, Midnight Taboo and the filly Unlimited Budget are not yet definite starters. Yesterday, trainer Ken McPeek confirmed his colt Frac Daddy, 16th in the Derby, will run.

“We still believe this is a really, really good horse, but for whatever reason it hasn’t happened for him,” said McPeek, who pulled off the biggest upset in Belmont history when he saddled 70-1 Sarava to win in 2002. “Sometimes you throw deep and it goes incomplete, but you can’t score if you don’t throw.”

* The steady rain and sloppy track yesterday at Belmont Park postponed scheduled workouts for Vyjack and Giant Finish. They are expected to go out this morning.

Julien Leparoux has been named to ride Vyjack, 18th in the Derby, for the first time in the Belmont after Joel Rosario and Garrett Gomez were aboard for his last two races.

* To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Secretariat’s 31-length runaway in the Belmont to become the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years, the NYRA will give away Secretariat posters on Friday, free with paid admission.

Due to enhanced security, no coolers, backpacks, briefcases, duffel bags, thermoses, umbrellas, camcorders or purses larger than 12 inches in diameter will be allowed into the track on Saturday. Alcoholic beverages have been banned since 2005.