There is no question about it; Afleet Alex is a winner.

The U.S. horse who won the 2005 Preakness on May 21st has done it again.

The third jewel of the Triple Crown is the Belmont Stakes in New York. On Saturday, June 11th 2005, Afleet Alex sprinted away from the field late in the 2.4 kilometer race to take his second Triple Crown victory.

What: The 137th Belmont Stakes

When: Saturday, June 11th 2005.

Where: Belmont Park, Elmont, N.Y.

How Many: 11 Horses. 62,274 Fans at the Park and many more watching from home.

TV Coverage: NBC (5:30-7 p.m. ET).

Distance: 1 1/2 miles.

Post time: 6:38.

Afleet Alex Stamps Himself as the Best of the 3-year-old Class

Afleet Alex is now only the 29th horse to win both the Preakness and the Belmont.

Not since Affirm did it in 1978 has any other horse won all three races: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.

Afleet Alex is owned by Cash Is King Stable LLC (a syndicate of five people).

Three weeks ago, Afleet Alex nearly fell but recovered to win the Preakness in Baltimore, Maryland. However, because he finished third in the Kentucky Derby, Afleet Alex could not take the Triple Crown.

Jeremy Rose said that Saturday's win should silence the critics who said that Afleet Alex was not capable of running the Triple Crown races.

Rose said:

It's awesome. And now all the critics can be silenced.

He's won at five-lengths up to a mile-and-a-half.

He's done everything that anyone ever asked him.

He should be a Triple Crown winner. But I messed up or whatever. I feel bad that he's not. But at least we got it done.

The Test of A Champion

On Saturday, Afleet Alex, with Jeremy Rose astride, hung back in the pack until the final turn. But the 6-5 favorite then broke away and finished more than six lengths ahead of Andromeda's Hero.

Afleet Alex was too much for Giacomo and jockey Mike Smith, who fell from first to seventh as Afleet Alex moved from eighth to first with a burst on the final turn.

Andromeda's Hero, under Rafael Bejarano, finished second.

Maiden Nolan's Cat, under Norberto Arroyo, Jr., running in his first Triple Crown race, finished third.

NBC's Tom Dirkin had the race call:

Afleet Alex opening up with a tremendous burst of energy! He five-lengths clear at the eight pole. Andromeda's Hero has now moved into second. Southern Africa third. Giacomo has faded. Nolan's Cat.

A compelling performance by the plucky Afleet Alex.

Dan Liebman, executive editor of the Blood-Horse, which closely follows the breeding industry, said Afleet Alex may now get $20,000 to $25,000 per breeding session.

Afleet Alex is likely to race next in late July in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park before heading up to Saratoga for the Travers Stakes in late August.

In the interim, Afleet Alex will take more than a month off.

A well deserved month off -- at that!

Congratulations Afleet Alex, Cash Is King Stable Partners Chuck Zacney, Robert Brittingham, Joseph Lerro, Joseph Judge and Jan Reeves, Trainer Tim Ritchey, Jockey Jeremy Rose, Breeder John Martin Silvertand, and everyone who believed in this beautiful three year-old.

Fleet Alex is named after Zacney's son and Brittingham's daughter Alex.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "double crown" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC