War Emblem, with exercise rider Mick Jenner, is lead by trainer Bob Baffert to the track at Belmont Park Friday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Less than three minutes separate War Emblem from winning the Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing — and the industry from a boon that has already started.

        War Emblem already has won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and needs only a victory today at the 134th Belmont Stakes to become the 12th Triple Crown winner. The last was in 1978, when jockey Steve Cauthen of Verona did it aboard Affirmed.

        Seven horses have won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness since then, only to lose at the 1 1/2-mile Belmont, the last being Charismatic in 1999. But War Emblem is the even-money favorite to win the Belmont this time, and the hype surrounding the quest has generated huge interest in the racing world.

        “This is a very compelling story,” said Churchill Downs spokesman John Asher. “You have a horse that comes out of nowhere to win the Derby and the Preakness. It comes on the heals of the death of Seattle Slew, the last surviving Triple Crown winner (25 years ago).

        “For him to go on this run is amazing.”

        River Downs racetrack in Anderson Township expects a big payoff because of the Triple Crown threat, according to simulcast director Sean Beirne. During Silver Charm's 1997 Triple Crown attempt, the track took in bets of $878,349 — up from $656,680 the previous year, when there was no Triple Crown chance. In 1999 for the Belmont, Charismatic brought in $1.1 million.

THE 134TH BELMONT STAKES

Time: Approximately 6:04 p.m.     TV: NBC 5, 22.     Where: Belmont Park, Elmont, N.Y.     Favorite: War Emblem, even money     Purse: $1 million     Web: www.nyracing.com/belstakes

        At Turfway Park in Florence, track president Bob Elliston expects about 4,000 patrons today versus about 3,000 for the Kentucky Derby and about 2,100 for the Preakness.

        “We had people in line at 11:45 a.m. (Friday) to buy advance betting tickets on the Belmont,” Mr. Elliston said. “There's just a lot of buzz about this race.”

        So much so, Turfway is commemorating the last Triple Crown by having Mr. Cauthen sign autographs at the track from noon to 2 p.m. today.

        Mr. Cauthen has been supportive of War Emblem's attempt to become the Triple Crown winner, and a victory certainly stands to benefit his brother, Doug Cauthen, president of WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky.

        Last week, WinStar Farm and Maryland's Taylor Made Farm bought Our Emblem, War Emblem's sire, for $10.1 million. A War Emblem win could increase Our Emblem's value by 20 percent, Doug Cauthen estimated. That would make a foal of the 11-year-old Our Emblem worth almost $75,000. Doug Cauthen would like Our Emblem to sire about 125 foals.

        Coincidently, WinStar almost bought War Emblem for $600,000 in January, but backed off because of bone spurs in the colt's legs. Prince Ahmed bin Salman eventually bought the horse three weeks before the Derby and hired Bob Baffert as the trainer.

        “In retrospect, I sure wish we would have bought him,” Doug Cauthen said. “But now if he wins, it's just icing on the cake because we have Our Emblem.

        “So the Triple Crown is special for us because it's great for our investment, and it's great for the sport of horse racing. It was a lot of fun 24 years ago when my brother won. But I think it's time for a new one.”

        Whether it is his ornery demeaner or sudden rise to stardom or just good timing, War Emblem seems to have captivated the industry much more than his recent predecessors. Belmont track officials in Elmont, N.Y., expect to surpass the record 85,818 fans who watched Charismatic finish third.

        Thoroughbred racing nationally has slowly diminished for decades. Tracks have been forced to consolidate as attendance has dwindled and younger fans have stayed away. On Wednesday, an average day at Belmont, most of the 4,082 fans were senior citizens.

        A superstar can help, generating interest the way Secretariat did in 1973 by ending a 25-year drought since Citation had last won the Triple Crown. That is the only span between Triple Crown winners longer than the current one.

        War Emblem's appeal is his unexpected challenge this year. Last year, as a 2-year-old, he lost his first three races by a combined 29 lengths. In early April, Mr. Baffert had no Triple Crown aspirations.

        “I thought I would be at the opening game of the L.A. Lakers,” said Mr. Baffert, referring to the Lakers' first NBA playoff game April 21.

        Margaret Layton says War Emblem could be just as big a hero as Seattle Slew, who won the Triple Crown 25 years ago. MS. Layton is spokeswoman for Three Chimneys Farm, just outside Lexington, Seattle Slew's home for 17 years before the horse died recently.

        Three Chimneys Farm houses 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm and 2001 Preakness and Belmont winner Point Given.

        “Seattle Slew had thousands of visitors here,” Ms. Layton said. “And we get about 9,000-12,000 visitors a year. All the fan support helps make the horses more popular for the racetrack. Would it help if he can win it? Heck, yes. Do I need to win the lottery? No. Does horse racing need him to win it? No, but it would be nice.”

       The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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