The Post hit the backstretch yesterday to find out what some top local horsemen had to say about this Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, where War Emblem will attempt to become the 12th Triple Crown winner.
Pat Kelly, trainer: “I think War Emblem will be awfully tough. We just missed three years in a row. It would be good if it happens.”
Randy Schulhofer, trainer: “You’ve got to like the way Sunday Break ran (in the Peter Pan). War Emblem speaks for himself.”
Ed Barker, trainer: “War Emblem. How are you gonna go against him?”
Gary Gullo, trainer: “You can’t knock War Emblem. If anybody beats him it will be Sunday Break.”
Robbie Davis, jockey: “I’d like to see War Emblem win the Crown. Maybe a Saudi owner winning America’s Triple Crown could ease some tension worldwide. And you can’t beat this excitement.”
Gary Contessa, trainer: “I’m not going against War Emblem. It would do a lot for the game to have a Triple Crown winner.”
Shug McGaughey, trainer of 1989 Belmont winner Easy Goer: “I like Perfect Drift. He steadied a little in the Derby, which could have cost him. I also like Medaglia d’Oro. Throw the Preakness out. (Trainer Bobby) Frankel said he didn’t like the track.”
Mike Miceli, trainer: “War Emblem looks like the real thing to me. He can go to the front, lay second. If someone tries to go with him it’s like burying themselves, yet if he gets loose on the lead its over.”
Dominick Schettino, trainer: “War Emblem appeared to be in excellent condition on the track (Thursday morning). He’s going to be tough to beat.”
Aaron Gryder, jockey: “Sunday Break is coming in fresh. I have the greatest respect for Neil Drysdale, and the pattern he is using is the same one that worked with A.P. Indy. If he doesn’t do it, I’ll be rooting for a Triple Crown winner.”
John Campo Jr., trainer: “I’ll take a shot with Like a Hero. He’s lightly raced, bred to run all day and has ‘Patient’ Pat Day aboard. You’ve got to mention Sunday Break. He won the Peter Pan and still doesn’t know what he’s doing. And Proud Citizen had a Titanic-like trip in the Preakness.”
Grover “Bud” Delp, trainer of Spectacular Bid: “God, it’s tough to go against War Emblem. The prince didn’t have to go to Saudi Arabia, he struck oil in America with this colt.”
Bob Lewis, owner of Silver Charm and Charismatic: “Bob (Baffert) is exuding so much confidence that I have to go with War Emblem.”
