HORSE RACING Dynever brings winning streak to Belmont

The colt has won three straight races, but faces strongest competition.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Christophe Clement is a man with a plan for the Belmont Stakes.
It began in October when he developed a schedule for Dynever that he hopes will culminate in the colt winning Saturday's 11/2-mile race.
So far, Dynever has stuck to the script.
After not running as a 2-year-old, Dynever finished second in his debut in February in Florida. He made his second start in March, and won for the first time.
In April, Dynever won the Aventura Stakes at Gulfstream by 31/4 lengths. He passed his next test, winning the Lone Star Derby in Texas by 11/2 lengths after an explosive move in the stretch.
"He has been very impressive," Clement said. "He's getting more mature with each race. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think we've seen his best yet."
Strongest competition
Now, Dynever brings his three-race winning streak into the Belmont against his strongest competition yet. His main rivals are Funny Cide and Empire Maker, both of whom gained experience racing as 2-year-olds.
Funny Cide, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, is trying to become the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years. Empire Maker is a fresh horse who hasn't run since finishing second in the Derby five weeks ago.
"The two best horses on paper are Funny Cide and Empire Maker. I don't think there's much between them," Clement said.
However, he thinks Dynever may have an advantage over those two.
"We've been very lucky with the timing," he said. "He's had about four weeks between all his races. He's fresh."
Likely third choice
Dynever is likely to be the third choice in the wagering behind Funny Cide and Empire Maker. The post position draw is Wednesday, when a field of seven is expected to be entered. Edgar Prado has ridden Dynever in all four of the colt's career races.
"He's a beautiful horse with a great stride," he said. "You just need to give him room to run. He gets better with each race. I think he has the potential to be as good as any 3-year-old I have ridden."
A year ago, Prado teamed up with Sarava in the Belmont. They scored the biggest upset in the 134-year-old race when they won at 70-1 odds.
Dynever has yet to beat any big-name horses, but the way he won his last race was impressive. He was blocked by a wall of horses through most of the stretch in the Lone Star Derby. Prado found an opening and Dynever charged to the finish line.
"You can only do that if you have the best horse," Clement said. "If you don't have any racing luck, in order to win you must have the best horse."
The only glitch in Clement's plan occurred recently. Dynever has a minor bruise on his left front foot, so he's been training in bar shoes to protect the injury. Clement is unconcerned, and said the new shoes were precautionary.
"Everything is fine," he said. "A lot of people try to make this very complicated and I think that's a huge mistake."