Social Inclusion may miss Belmont Stakes

Speed is a thoroughbred's greatest asset, with soundness a close second. Next is temperament, which is where one of the fastest horses in this 3-year-old class falls short. Chances are good that his emotional instability will exclude Social Inclusion from Saturday's Belmont Stakes.

Two days after he rocketed 3 furlongs in 33.48 seconds, a workout time few horses ever could approach, Social Inclusion had serious issues while schooling at the gate yesterday morning at Belmont Park. Owner Ron Sanchez said he was "disappointed" and that his brilliant colt was "70/30" to skip the Belmont and run instead on the undercard in the 7-furlong Woody Stephens Stakes.

The gate for the 11/2-mile Belmont is placed directly in front of the stands, where a crowd expected to exceed 100,000 surely would disturb the high-strung colt. The Woody Stephens begins on the backstretch, far from any fans. Sanchez said he wouldn't make his final decision until Wednesday, when entries will be drawn for the 146th Belmont.

Social Inclusion was nervous and sweaty yesterday after jogging to the gate on the backstretch, and he acted up enough that he will have to school again tomorrow. If he misbehaves, he also could try Thursday or Friday, but if he doesn't settle down, the Belmont stewards can rule that he can't run Saturday.