Final preparations for Test of Champions

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06/04/2010 - Elmont, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The day before the running of the 142nd Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, several of the 12 horses entered in the race had final preparations for the contest.

Ice Box and Fly Down, both trained by Nick Zito, went to the track to become familiar with the starting gate and then galloped on the 1 1/2-mile oval.

"Obviously, Ice Box has a great kick," Zito said about the Kentucky Derby runner-up. "I don't want to do anything to compromise his style of running. I've seen that before, changing styles, and it never works. Never, never, never. I hope he gets in position where he can run his race; that's all we can hope for. And, basically, he and Fly Down are the same type of horse.

"I guess everyone is going to pay attention to First Dude. He's got a good post (11) because he'll probably try and gallop out there. But I wouldn't change my horses' styles. I just hope my horses run the same way they have been."

Trainer Dale Romans had First Dude gallop around Belmont Park Friday morning. The Preakness runner-up is the 7-2 second choice in the program behind Ice Box.

"We're definitely going to be on, or close, to the lead," Romans said. "If someone wants to get out of their game and set him down inside of us, we'll let him go and sit right off.

"This horse doesn't have to be on the lead. If they let him get three-quarters in 1:14 like Seattle Slew, he'll be tough to catch. I don't think there's anyone in there that wants to sacrifice themselves and get out of their game and go chase him."

Stay Put, 20-1 in the morning-line, took to the track for trainer Steve Margolis. The chestnut colt galloped once around Belmont Park on Friday.

"Everything went well this morning," Margolis noted, "and we're excited and looking forward to it very much. We haven't plotted out the strategy, and we'll see what the weather looks like and figure out what we want to do."

Also taking a gallop around Belmont Park was Lone Star Derby winner Game On Dude.

"He's a very laid-back horse," trainer Bob Baffert indicated about the gelding. "He's got a good mind. He's very plain. But he's matured since I've had him, and, he gets over this track really well. It only took him one time around to get used to it."

The updated weather forecast for the Belmont Stakes calls for 50 percent chance of rain with variable clouds and scattered thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Post-time temperature around 85 and winds Southwest at 10 to 20 m.p.h.

Post-time for the race is set for 6:32 p.m. (et).

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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