Once the prospect of a back-to-back US Triple Crown winner faded as Nyquist weakened at the top of the straight at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore three weeks ago, the question of limiting attendance for the 148^th Belmont Stakes at New York's venerable Belmont Park became moot. The 111-year-old track, located on Long Island, saw as many as 102,199 patrons showing up in 2014 to watch California Chrome's failed attempt at securing the elusive crown. Some found it unpleasantly overcrowded and so last year a cap of 90,000 was put in place in the interests of comfort, convenience and security and, of course, all tickets were sold out. Those who managed to obtain a spot at the track were rewarded by the sight of American Pharoah securing his place in history.

That said, there is still plenty for racing fans to savour this Saturday, June 11^th, not least another chance to view the game winner of the Preakness Stakes – Exaggerator (by Curlin). That opportunity to see the courageous dark bay or brown colt, who is beginning to resemble some of the stars of yesteryear in his enthusiastic attitude to the game, will come at 6:37 p.m. Eastern (4:07 a.m. on Sunday, June 12^th, in India). Nothing has happened since his victory in the middle leg of the Triple Crown to suggest that he will not emulate eleven other three-year-old colts who won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes after missing out on the Kentucky Derby. The most recent of these was Afleet Alex in 2005.

Trained by J. Keith Desormeaux and ridden by his younger brother Kent, Exaggerator is at 9 to 5 to oblige. In the absence of Nyquist (by Uncle Mo) – who spiked a fever after his Preakness effort and hence misses the race – there is every reason to believe that Exaggerator will add one more feather to his cap. Drawn 11 (of 13), the late-running bay will have plenty of opportunity to drop in quietly behind his rivals before unleashing his patented burst of speed in Belmont's relatively-long straight. The trainer was quite sanguine: "I am so close to the situation, but it sure seems like Exaggerator has jazzed up some people. Maybe they like the name. Or they like his running style, or they like the distance of his wins. Maybe they like this brother-brother thing."

Incidentally the weather forecast is for a mix of sun and cloud and temperatures in the mid 'twenties (Celsius), but there is some chance of rain though it is doubtful if the public choice will get the sloppy going he has shown he so appreciates. Those conditions are not necessarily a pre-requisite for Exaggerator to shine. The rider added: “It’s a little different than usually us coming through the back door, but I’ve always said I’d much rather have the favorite than be 20-1”. Desormeaux, who has faced alcohol-related issues in the past, has had a spell of rehab after the Preakness. Here's hoping he has emerged stronger after this opportunity to battle his demons.

A lightly-raced runner that could make some inroads into the superiority shown by the favourite is Stradivari (by Medaglia d'Oro), fourth in the Preakness Stakes. The Todd Pletcher trainee, partly owned by Coolmore, is drawn 5 and has been adjudged to be the nominal second choice at 5-1. Johnny Velazquez will continue his partnership with the winner of 2 of his 4 starts. He is a colt on the upgrade who could perhaps step up the level of his form.

Apart from Stradivari, Exaggerator will face several other runners that he has beaten before. Chief amongst these are:

Destin (by Giant's Causeway), Pletcher's other runner, who was a non-threatening sixth after a poor trip at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby, having previously won a couple of important Graded Stakes at Tampa Bay in Florida in the first quarter of this year. The 6 to 1 chance will enjoy the guidance of Javier Castellano, and ought to run well – but it must be remembered that only 2 greys have scored in 147 renewals of the race.

Cherry Wine (by Paddy O'Prado), is also a grey. Runner-up to Exaggerator in the Preakness, this improving sort does not have too much leeway to make up. Whether he excels only with some give in the ground and whether he gets a mile and a half will be known only after the race. His trainer, Dale Romans, was injured in an automobile accident shortly after the Kentucky Derby but has been recovering well. The schooler has also pitched Brody's Cause (by Giant's Causeway) into the fray. The last-named has been somewhat inconsistent and was well behind Exaggerator in the Kentucky Derby, but is a classy sort who has reportedly been working well.

Ninth in the Derby and fifth in the Preakness, Lani (by Tapit) is slated to become the only runner other than Exaggerator to have competed in all 3 legs of the gruelling series and also happens to be the third grey to come under scrutiny. The Japanese-trained colt, who annexed the rich UAE Derby earlier in the year, seems a quirky sort who needs to be saddled away from his rivals and taken out alone to the track. Should he get away smoothly, he is a live threat to the favourite's dominance.

Suddenbreakingnews (by Mineshaft), who is a ridgling, ran well enough when fifth in the Kentucky Derby and has plenty of stamina in this pedigree, leavened with brilliant influences. Added to that mix is the fact that he looks very sharp in his morning workouts. However it will be a herculean task to carry his natural speed all the way if he pulls himself to the front too early.

Steve Asmussen brings the well-rested Creator (by Tapit) back to the racing wars after sitting out the Preakness. He is yet another grey! Given that his flop show in the Kentucky Derby was an uncharacteristic blemish on his record, he possibly deserves another chance.

Finally, there are four newcomers adding spice to the event. Pletcher would have had a third iron in the fire had Gettysburg (by Pioneerof The Nile) not been relocated to the barn of Steve Asmussen. A 30 to 1 chance with Paco Lopez in the saddle, this speedy type is expected to make the running. Leading from the front on a dirt track – even over an extended distance – is not an impossible feat as some victorious longshots have demonstrated in the past. But the pedigree of the fifth grey in the field is not suggestive of success over routes.

Expat Frenchman Christophe Clement, who knows what it takes to win the Belmont, having scored with Tonalist a couple of years ago, fields Governor Malibu (by Malibu Moon). The chestnut has run thrice this term, most recently when runner-up in the Peter Pan Stakes. His connections alone inspire a degree of confidence about his chances.