Southern Africa a go for Belmont Stakes Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

After watching Walmac Lone Star Derby (G3) winner Southern Africa work four furlongs in :48 on Tuesday at Arlington Park, trainer Michael Puhich committed the son of Cape Town to the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 11 at Belmont Park. While Southern Africa had been considered "probable" for the final jewel of the 2005 Triple Crown, the workout convinced Puhich to go to Belmont. "He’s coming for sure," Puhich told Belmont officials. "I breezed him [Tuesday] just to make sure he’s still hitting on all cylinders. I don’t think the distance of the Belmont will be a factor for him." Puhich plans to work Southern Africa at Arlington one more time before shipping on either June 6 or June 7. Puhich has lined up Jon Court to ride in the Belmont. Court guided Southern Africa to a 1 1/4-length victory in the Lone Star Derby on May 14 at Lone Star Park. After finishing seventh in the Sham Stakes on February 5 at Santa Anita Park to open the season, Southern Africa won the Borderland Derby on February 27 at Sunland Park and finished second in the WinStar Derby on April 2 at Sunland. "He’s getting better every time he runs," Puhich said. "He deserves a shot at running against better horses."