Derby runner-up Nehro fresh for Belmont

Nehro backed up the Derby week buzz about him, outrunning everybody except Animal Kingdom on the first Saturday in May. The undersized colt overcame post 18 and being hung four- or five-wide all the way around. For most owners, going to the Preakness would have been a no-brainer. Ahmed Zayat wanted to think about it.

"It was really hard, and I wavered," Zayat said Thursday. "This horse had been running his heart out. But I want to see him run next year, and I had the misfortune of seeing a very good horse of mine, Eskendereya, not being able to run at 4. So my gut feeling was to err on the side of caution with Nehro. I wanted to do what's right by the horse."

Instead of coming back on two weeks' rest at Pimlico for his fourth race in eight weeks, Nehro will enter Saturday's 143rd Belmont Stakes fresh and fit. Recent history is on his side, because eight of the last nine Belmont winners skipped the Preakness, and four came straight from the Derby.

"I think I made the right decision," said Zayat, who consulted trainer Steve Asmussen and exercise rider Carlos Rosas before choosing to wait for the Triple Crown finale. "We felt, particularly Steve, that a little bit of a break would set up this horse well for the whole year. I can't wait to see my colt run in the Belmont."

Nehro (1-for-6 lifetime) also completed the exacta in the Louisiana and Arkansas Derbys, falling short by a neck in both. Is he ready to break through, or is he a teaser? It's much too early to brand him a victim of seconditis, and his pedigree (by distance-loving Mineshaft, the 2003 Horse of the Year) suggests the 1½-mile marathon should suit him.

"I do believe Nehro actually ran a mile and a half in the Derby with how wide he was," Zayat said. "We ended up being close to a slow pace, which was totally against the grain of his running style."

Well, not exactly. Nehro never was farther back than fourth in the Louisiana Derby, but in Arkansas, he was 10th of 13, seven lengths behind, before surging late and running out of ground. His versatility should be a plus in the Belmont, which was won by only four deep closers -- Editor's Note, Victory Gallop, Afleet Alex and Jazil -- in the past 20 years. If Nehro can stay within striking distance and accelerate on the far turn, as he did in Louisville, he might get it done this time.

Nehro signaled his sharpness last Sunday at Churchill Downs by breezing 6 furlongs in 1:12.20, which Asmussen called "the best work I've seen him lay down." He arrived early Friday at Belmont Park, where he is to work out Monday.

"The colt is doing well and carrying his weight," Zayat said. "He has to run his race, but there will be no excuses going in. He's happy, sound and has the right mental attitude. I don't want to be a bridesmaid again."

Shackleford a go.

After Shackleford worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.30 Saturday at Belmont, trainer Dale Romans said the Preakness winner will return in the Belmont Stakes. "As long as he comes out of the work good, he will run," Romans said after a telephone conversation with co-owner Michael Lauffer. "I think he's going to be very competitive." . . . Besides Nehro, Shackleford and Animal Kingdom, others being pointed for the race include Mucho Macho Man, Master of Hounds, Santiva, Brilliant Speed, Stay Thirsty, Prime Cut, Ruler On Ice, Harlan's Hello, Isn't He Perfect and Monzon.