Belmont Stakes Field down to Nine with Tomcito and Spark Candle out
On Sunday, the expected field of the Belmont Stakes dropped from eleven to nine as Tomcito and Spark Candle were removed from the list of hopefuls. Tomcito, who finished 3rd in the Kentucky Derby was withdrawn from contention because of congestion and Spark Candle was entered in a Grade III stakes race on Friday. Spark Candle is the stablemate of Big Brown's closest challenger, Casino Drive.
ESPN.com - David Grening (DRF): Tomcito and Spark Candle out of Belmont Stakes
Tomcito, third to Big Brown in the Florida Derby, had some congestion on Sunday morning and was declared from the race, trainer Dante Zanelli Jr. said. Zanelli said that the owner, Jet Set Racing Stable, was likely to move the horse to another New York-based trainer and Zanelli would return to his Lexington, Ky., base. Also, Spark Candle, a stablemate of probable Belmont second choice Casino Drive, was entered and is scheduled to run in Friday's Grade 3, $100,000 Hill Prince at one mile on the turf at Belmont......more
