Velazquez picks up mount on Union Rags

John Velazquez will replace Julien Leparoux aboard Union Rags in the $1 million Belmont Stakes.

"We felt we had to make a change," trainer Michael Matz told Daily Racing Form. "What happened before, in the last two races, it can happen to any one of them. He doesn't look like he's difficult to ride. He does have a big, long stride, and you need to let him use that stride."

I'll Have Another continues to settle nicely at Belmont

Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another was a "very happy horse" Tuesday morning as he continued to settle nicely into his new digs at Belmont Park, where on June 9 he will attempt to become the 12th horse to add the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

Mark Valeski might skip Belmont; Castellano takes over on Dullahan

Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes winner Mark Valeski is "doubtful" to return for the Belmont, trainer Larry Jones told Daily Racing Form Monday.

"Mark's actually doing OK, but he got a little tired after the race," Jones said. "He doesn't have the same energy level.

"I'm not saying he's 100 percent out. But we may end up bypassing the Belmont and just waiting for the Dwyer (Grade 2 going 1 1/8 miles at Belmont Park June 30)."

Also on Monday, trainer Dale Romans told DRF that Javier Castellano will pick up the mount aboard Dullahan in the Belmont.

Belmont Stakes prize package offered by NYRA

Racing fans can visit BelmontStakes.com to enter a free drawing for a prize package for two that includes airfare, hotel accommodations, and premium tickets to watch I'll Have Another attempt to become the 12th Triple Crown winner when he competes in the June 9 Belmont Stakes.

After flying in to either John F. Kennedy International Airport or LaGuardia Airport, the grand prize winner will stay overnight in New York on June 8 and June 9. Accommodations will be provided by the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale.

I'll Have Another looking good at Belmont

Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another was reported to be doing well the morning after he arrived at Belmont Park by van and will soon begin training on the Belmont main track, according to Jack Sisterson, assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill.

"He looks fantastic this morning," said Sisterson on Monday. "He ate everything up last night and is a very happy horse. He walked the shedrow this morning. I have to speak with Doug, but it's likely he will go to the main track at some point this week."

I'll Have Another arrives at Belmont Park

I'll Have Another, who on June 9 will attempt to become the 12th horse to sweep the Triple Crown when he competes in the $1 million Belmont Stakes, arrived in Barn 9 at Belmont Park at 2:53 p.m. (EDT) Sunday after vanning north from Pimlico Race Course in Maryland.

For video of the chestnut son of Flower Alley, including comments from trainer Doug O'Neill and owner J. Paul Reddam, click here.

I'll Have Another leaves for Big Apple

I'll Have Another's connections loaded their Preakness Stakes winner onto a van Sunday morning at Pimlico Race Course to begin their journey to Belmont Park in their continuing quest to sweep racing's Triple Crown.

Bodemeister skipping Belmont, Creative Cause '50-50' for race

After another agonizingly tough loss to I'll Have Another in Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, Bodemeister was flown back to California Sunday morning. He will remain in training, but will skip the Belmont Stakes.

"I've had enough," Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert quipped.

Baffert indicated that Bodemeister appeared to be in good condition before leaving the Pimlico Stakes Barn for Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

Also-rans exit Preakness in good condition, some contemplating Belmont

Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said Sunday that Zetterholm appeared to come out of his fourth-place finish in Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in good order. The New York-bred son of Silver Train was shipped back to Dutrow's barn at Aqueduct Sunday morning.