Thoroughbreds lack clear leader in 2010

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Three Triple Crown races. Three different winners.

No clear leader has emerged among the 3-year-olds this season, although that may be sorted out this summer in two $1 million stakes — the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Aug. 1 and the Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 28.

Then again, the picture might just get murkier. It’s been that kind of year in thoroughbred racing’s glamour division.

The upset by Drosselmeyer in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday closes another year without a Triple Crown. It’s 32 years and counting since Affirmed became the 11th Triple Crown champion by sweeping the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont.

At first, it appeared the brilliant 3-year-old colt Eskendereya had a chance to end the longest drought between Triple Crown winners. But the Fountain of Youth and Wood Memorial winner developed swelling in his left front leg and was pulled from the Derby a week before the race.

It was a tough blow for trainer Todd Pletcher, who came to the Derby with an 0 for 24 record. But on Derby day, Pletcher’s Super Saver came through on a patented rail-hugging ride from Calvin Borel.

In the Preakness two weeks later, after Borel had guaranteed a Triple Crown, Super Saver gave way in the stretch and finished eighth. Lookin At Lucky, so terribly unlucky in the Derby, won the Preakness.

Neither Super Saver nor Lookin At Lucky went on to the Belmont, leaving the final leg of the Triple Crown without either classic winner for the second time in four years and just the third time since 1970.

Drosselmeyer, ridden by Mike Smith, gave Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott his first victory in a Triple Crown race. The Triple Crown was also a huge success for WinStar Farm of Versailles, Ky. It captured two jewels, the Derby with Super Saver and the Belmont with Drosselmeyer.

Elliott Walden, WinStar’s racing manager, said both colts will be pointed toward the Travers.