NEW YORK (AP) — There is nobody more eager to show up in the winner’s circle for the Belmont Stakes than Ahmed Zayat.
Sure, Saturday’s Belmont is being trumpeted as the rubber match between Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Preakness winner Shackleford. But Zayat is confident his colt Nehro is poised to shed a bridesmaid reputation and win the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Nehro has finished second in his last three starts, including the Kentucky Derby. Zayat says Nehro is the most consistent 3-year-old of the bunch and is certain his horse does not have “seconditis.”
Zayat has had a tough go in Triple Crown races. His Pioneerof the Nile finished second in the 2009 Kentucky Derby, and last year’s Derby favorite Eskendereya was injured and didn’t make the race.
