Alternation not to race in Belmont Stakes
The Fever of the Belmont Stakes is taking over trainers and owners, as there is a flood of contenders being entered into the final leg of the Triple Crown.
However, there is one name that has been scratched from the list of possible contenders of the Belmont Stakes. The name is that of Alternation, who will rest, instead of taking part in the June 11 event.
This was announced on Sunday, May 29, 2011, by Alternation’s trainer, Donnie Von Hemel, who intends to race the three-year-old bay colt in the latter half of the year.
He said, "The horse is fine. We just decided to point for races like the Jim Dandy and the Travers. He's had four or five races early in the year. We want to give him a little breather now, then make some noise later”.
The latter half of the year has races such as the Breeder’s Cup, the Haskell, Jim Dandy, and, the Travers. Jim Dandy (Grade 2) will be held on July 30, 2011 at the Saratoga Race Course and the Grade 2 Travers Stakes is to be held on August 27, 2011.
A respite from races might be beneficial for the horse, as it would help him recuperate to his best form. He has raced four times this year and spent most of the winter and spring at the Oaklawn Park.
Alternation was first in his last start, namely the Peter Pan Stakes held on May 14, 2011. Ramon Dominguez rode Alternation and was able to defeat Adios Charlie by a head.
Ramon Dominguez, his regular jockey will be available for another mount in the Belmont Stakes. His jockey services may be extended to Stay Thirsty. Ramon Dominguez rode Stay Thirsty in the Kentucky Derby, in which Stay Thirsty placed 12th.
Alternation was fifth in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. He got hit during the start of the Rebel Stakes and was scratched off that race. He has won four of his six life time starts. He is owned and bred by Pin Oak Stables. Alternation has earned a total of $215,004.
The son of Distorted Humor managed to knock out the Derby hopeful candidate, Elite Alex in an allowance race at the Oaklawn Park in his start of 2011.
His pedigree suggests he is able to perform superbly in one turn races. His father was heavily favoured in one turn races in, which he used to race with freakish speed. He performed bewitchingly in the 1998 Common Wealth Breeder’s Cup Stakes, in which he almost broke the track record.
Alternation has multiple stakes winner, Alternate, as his mother, owned by Pin Oak Stables and was an established Grade 2 winner. She won the Robert G. d**k Memorial Breeder’s Cup Handicap for mares and fillies. Alternation also shares lineage with the Canadian Horse of the Year 1995.
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