The decision was taken on Tuesday by trainer Todd Pletcher to race the nation’s leading filly, Rags to Riches in the 139th Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park to make the final leg of the Triple Crown far more interesting than one known in large part for missing Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense.

Rags to Riches inclusion also set off a chain of events regarding horses and, in particular, jockeys. John Velazquez wound up on Rags to Riches by jettisoning Slew’s Tizzy, but not before a late-hour bid by Ron Anderson, the jockey agent for Garrett Gomez, to get off of Hard Spun and back on Rags to Riches, whom Gomez rode to victory in the Kentucky Oaks.

Final entries were due and post positions were to be drawn on Wednesday. A field of seven was expected to be entered: C P West (Edgar Prado the rider), Curlin (Robby Albarado), Hard Spun (Gomez), Imawildandcrazyguy (Mark Guidry), Rags to Riches (Velazquez), Slew’s Tizzy (Rafael Bejarano), and Tiago (Mike Smith). Digger is still possible, with a final decision as to his status expected to have been made Wednesday morning.

Pletcher said he made the decision to run Rags to Riches after talking to Michael Tabor, who owns Rags to Riches along with Derrick Smith. Pletcher said the colt Circular Quay, who also had been under consideration for the Belmont, would instead be “freshened up a little bit.”

“We discussed the pros and cons, and Mr. Tabor said he would be happy with either decision, but he seemed excited when I made the decision that she was going to run,” Pletcher said Tuesday morning at his Belmont Park barn. “There’s a number of reasons. First and foremost, the filly’s doing very well at the moment. Second, she’s bred for it. I’ll probably never have a horse as well bred for it.

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