Suspected strangles at Belmont keeps Afleet Alex at Pimlico Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Preakness winner Afleet Alex will stay at Pimlico until Belmont Park officials have more information on a suspected case of strangles at the New York track. Trainer Tim Ritchey had planned to ship Afleet Alex to Long Island on Saturday for the June 11 Belmont Stakes, the third jewel in US flat racing's Triple Crown.That move was delayed, however, after Belmont Park quarantined a barn and isolated a horse after a possible outbreak of strangles, a respiratory disease which has afflicted horses recently at other tracks, including Churchill Downs, which hosted the Kentucky Derby.Afleet Alex's departure date is on hold until New York Racing Association officials have control of the situation.The NYRA placed under quarantine Belmont Park's Barn 60, where trainer Steve Kappes is stabled. One of Kappes' horses, Lady Libby, was put into an isolation stall "after exhibiting signs suggestive of possible strangles," NYRA chief examining veterinarian Celeste Kunz said.The Belmont Stakes is the last of the Triple Crown races. Afleet Alex finished third at the Kentucky Derby, won by 50-1 longshot Giacomo, before winning the Preakness despite a near-fall after clipping the heels of a horse that veered into his path.