Silver Charm Gets Post 2 For Triple Crown Attempt

Post position means almost nothing in a 1-1/2-mile race, especially when there are only seven horses in the field. Still, perhaps, it was an omen when Silver Charm drew the No. 2 hole Thursday for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.

The last time the gray son of Silver Buck, who will be trying to become thoroughbred racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner, drew that post position was in his second start.

Running 5-1/2 furlongs against maidens last Aug. 24 at Del Mar, Silver Charm won at 2-5 odds, beating his entrymate, Gold Tribute, by 1-1/4 lengths under David Flores.

Of course, in his debut two weeks earlier, he also had left from Post 2 and finished a distant second, 4 lengths behind Deeds Not Words, a colt he demolished in the Kentucky Derby.

As expected, six others were entered to challenge the Derby and Preakness winner, but only four of them really count. Mr. Energizer, who was ridiculously supplemented by owner Robert Perez for $50,000, and Irish Silence have no chance and all they could possibly do is get in the way.

The Belmont boils down to whether Silver Charm can beat Free House again for what would be the fourth time in their six meetings; how Touch Gold will recover from his grueling trip in the Preakness; how Wild Rush fits after a big victory in the Illinois Derby and whether 12 furlongs will help Crypto Star.

“It’s starting to sink in now that I’m going for the Triple Crown,” said Bob Baffert, Silver Charm’s trainer. “I don’t think you can get a bad (post position) going 1-1/2 miles with seven horses around here.

“It’s been fun. There’s a couple of days left, but I’ll be glad when it’s over. There’s been more media than I’ll probably ever see in my life.”

Silver Charm was established the 6-5 favorite by Mike Watchmaker, Belmont’s morning-line maker, and Touch Gold and Wild Rush are 2-1.

Third in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Preakness, Free House drew Post 6.

Touch Gold is a question mark as a challenger because of a foot injury suffered three weeks ago.

But his trainer, Dave Hofmans, says his colt is doing well and hopes for clear sailing Saturday.

“To have a Triple Crown (winner) would be fantastic for racing,” he said. “But Silver Charm’s going to have to earn it if he wants to be put up there with Seattle Slew and Affirmed (the last two Triple Crown winners). I hope we’re on even terms with him turning for home and we’ll go from there.”

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON TV Saturday: 1:30 p.m. (ABC)