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New York's police chief says he is impressed with security planning for this summer's London Olympics, rejecting suggestions that US officials were concerned about arrangements for the Games.
Commissioner Raymond Kelly said London's police and security planning was far more comprehensive and organised than had been the case for the Atlanta games in 1996, when he was personally involved in a federal government role.
'It seems they really have a handle on just about any contingency that might take place,' Kelly said in London during a trip to meet Olympic security chiefs, senior London police and officials at MI5 domestic security agency.
'We've been universally very much impressed with everything we've seen. As far as I can see they have done an excellent job preparing all of their forces.'
No concerns: Raymond Kelly has dismissed security fears
Last November, the United States denied that there had been a diplomatic row over the Olympic security planning, following a newspaper claim that 1,000 agents including some 500 from the FBI, would be sent to protect US athletes and officials.
Chris Allison, Britain's national Olympic security coordinator, said the claim was 'rubbish' and that the reported FBI contingent had been grossly exaggerated.
'I think the FBI role is a supportive one. I don't think they're here with specific concerns,' Kelly said, dismissing the idea that the London police needed their assistance.
He added than rather than lecturing the British, his visit had been a learning one.
'We were takers rather than givers, put it that way,' he commented.
Allison and other senior British security figures have said protests and public order issues rather than al-Qaeda and international terrorism were the most likely threats to the Games.
Last year, Britain suffered its worst rioting in decades and there have been high-profile anti-capitalist protests in London, some inspired by New York's Occupy Wall Street moment.
Kelly said he had discussed the riots with his London counterparts and it was an issue that they had factored in, with plans for a rapid mobilisation to deal with any unexpected events.
'Will there be demonstrations, will there be protests of some sort? Sure. That's a given in this day and age. It's something that happens in New York and London literally everyday,' Kelly said.
'But the Met is well experienced. They're well prepared to handle it.'
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Kent on top against Foxes - SkySports
Source: www.skysports.com
London close: Stocks sink on Greek exit speculation - Life Style Extra
- BoE policy makers 'finely balanced' on more QE
- CBO warns of US recession
The FTSE 100 sunk to its lowest levels of the day by the end of trade on Wednesday as investors looked ahead to this evening's EU summit with caution as speculation increases over a Greek exit from the Eurozone.
International pressure has been mounting on Eurozone leaders to take quick action to stave off the recession that threatens the region. The European Council is holding an informal dinner Wednesday evening at 18:00 London time, where the members are expected to discuss both the situation in Greece and measures to increase growth.
Former Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos has said that although a Greek exit is unlikely, "it cannot be excluded that preparations are being made to contain the potential consequences" of such a scenario. He later clarified that he has no specific knowledge of any countries of institutions making contingency plans but could not "exclude the possibility".
According to an article by Reuters this afternoon, three officials of the Eurogroup Working Group (EWG) have said that countries should be planning for a Greek exit. "The EWG agreed that each Eurozone country should prepare a contingency plan, individually, for the potential consequences of a Greek exit from the euro," one official said. Germany's Bundesbank has said that a withdrawal from the single currency would be "considerable but manageable".
Gloomy comments from the US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) were also dampening the mood today. The CBO warned of a risk of recession for the world's largest economy in 2013 if the Bush-era tax reductions were allowed to expire at the same time as spending cuts come into effect. It said that the US economy could contract by 1.3% in the first half of next year as the government falls off a "fiscal cliff".
UK economy
In domestic news, the Bank of England's top decision makers indicated that more of them were on the verge of voting to increase stimulus measures at their lasting meeting. While the Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-to-1 to keep the Bank's quantitative easing programme steady at 325bn, the minutes of the meeting showed that "for several members, the decision not to expand the asset purchase programme at this meeting was finely balanced".
UK retail sales registered their biggest monthly fall in April, with fuel sales tailing off dramatically after the panic buying in March, when motorists were encouraged by the government to stock up on petrol.
FTSE 100: Miners bear the brunt of risk aversion
The blue-chip miners were dominating the fallers list on the Footsie as metals prices dropped on concerns that the Chinese economy may be affected greatly by Greece leaving the euro: investment bank China International Capital Corp said today that the world's second-largest economy could see its lowest levels of growth in more than two decades in this scenario. Mining peers Vedanta Resources, Kazakhmys, Polymetal, Xstrata, Glencore, Fresnillo, Rio Tinto, and Antofagasta were all suffering heavy losses.
Financials were also unwanted due to risk aversion. Barclays was out of favour after it announced the pricing details of the open offer part of its recently announced sale of its stake in US wealth management giant Blackrock. Meanwhile, there were rumours that the lender could be thinking about a shake-up in Italy, which could involve the sale of branches or a restructuring. Sector peers RBS, Lloyds and HSBC also finished lower.
Iconic British luxury brand Burberry dropped despite reporting solid profit growth in the year ended March 31st. Adjusted profit before tax increased by 26% from 298m to 376m, broadly in line with estimates. Analysts at Investec said this morning that bears make "take issue" today given the lack of upgrades following the results.
There were only a few stocks that finished with their head above water today: British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) rose after the Competition Commission announced that it was no longer concerned that 'Sky Movies' has an unfair advantage over its competitors; while Smith & Nephew was benefiting from renewed bid speculation.
FTSE 250: LSE falls after Italian banks sell up
Italian banks UniCredit and Intesa Sanpaolo have announced that they have sold their combined 11.5% stake of market operator London Stock Exchange (LSE), causing shares to take a tumble today. The banks made the transaction via an "accelerated bookbuild" at 960p per share, a discount to Tuesday's closing price.
Second-tier miners were firmly lower, like their FTSE 100 counterparts - Ferrexpo, Petropavlovsk and Avocet registered significant losses by the close. Aquarius Platinum was also under pressure due to the news of a fire at its Mimosa mine in Zimbabwe. "At this stage, the extent of the damage and impact on production cannot be ascertained," Aquarius said.
Buses and trains operator FirstGroup was a high riser after saying that it is to shake up its UK bus operations to focus on those areas that offer the greatest potential for growth. The group announced full-year results for the year to the end of March that were slightly ahead of expectations.
FTSE 100 - Risers
Smith & Nephew (SN.) 594.50p +0.42%
British Sky Broadcasting Group (BSY) 693.00p +0.36%
Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 241.30p +0.04%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Vedanta Resources (VED) 951.50p -9.12%
Kazakhmys (KAZ) 679.50p -7.86%
Man Group (EMG) 73.10p -5.86%
Polymetal International (POLY) 794.00p -5.42%
Fresnillo (FRES) 1,312.00p -5.41%
Aviva (AV.) 263.90p -5.14%
Tullow Oil (TLW) 1,337.00p -5.04%
Rio Tinto (RIO) 2,790.50p -4.97%
Glencore International (GLEN) 343.65p -4.96%
Xstrata (XTA) 926.20p -4.80%
FTSE 250 - Risers
FirstGroup (FGP) 220.10p +7.42%
Ocado Group (OCDO) 107.80p +5.89%
COLT Group SA (COLT) 118.70p +5.14%
Great Portland Estates (GPOR) 392.90p +2.80%
Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 128.80p +2.79%
Paragon Group Of Companies (PAG) 160.80p +2.42%
Spirent Communications (SPT) 157.30p +2.28%
KCOM Group (KCOM) 69.00p +2.22%
Daejan Holdings (DJAN) 2,725.00p +2.14%
Lamprell (LAM) 103.00p +1.98%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
Ferrexpo (FXPO) 204.40p -10.82%
Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (AQP) 74.80p -10.10%
Petropavlovsk (POG) 380.50p -9.10%
London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) 947.00p -7.25%
Essar Energy (ESSR) 112.80p -6.70%
Kenmare Resources (KMR) 41.39p -6.48%
Avocet Mining (AVM) 143.50p -6.45%
New World Resources A Shares (NWR) 316.30p -6.42%
Talvivaara Mining Company (TALV) 146.90p -6.25%
Lonmin (LMI) 736.00p -6.18%
BC
Source: www.lse.co.uk
Newcastle Falcons avoid relegation from Premiership as London Welsh fail promotion criteria - Daily Telegraph
"The club firmly believes that it has met the Minimum Standards Criteria (MSC) for promotion to the Aviva Premiership, particularly as regards the issue of Primacy of Tenure and reaffirmed its belief in this respect in a detailed communication to the RFU as recently as Monday 21st May highlighting its case for having satisfied the MSC.
"The club has already sought clarification on this point, the detailed reasoning behind why Primacy of Tenure was not satisfied (among other things) having not yet been given by the RFU.
"The club is especially disappointed in this regard as a firm binding agreement, subject only to promotion to the Premiership, has already been concluded with Kassam Stadium - a ground with facilities the club believes to be at least the equal of many other grounds already hosting Premiership rugby and which itself hosted a Rugby Union Challenge Cup final only a few years ago.
"The club also notes that if promoted it would share its ground with a club from the FA, in common with other Premiership Clubs (such as London Irish, Sale, Wasps and Saracens). It is not clear why an exception made in the case of at least four top flight clubs (a third of the total) might not now be extended to a fifth."
The decision was made this lunchtime by the RFU board. In a statement, the RFU said: "The Rugby Football Union’s Board of Directors has considered the findings of the independent audit report requested by London Welsh, which determines a club’s eligibility for promotion to the Aviva Premiership in line with the Minimum Standards Criteria (MSC).
"The report, carried out by independent auditors, found that London Welsh has not met the MSC for the Aviva Premiership. The independent auditors identified various failures, including not having Primacy of Tenure at their nominated ground.
"This states that a club must demonstrate that they can host home fixtures at the time stipulated by Premiership Rugby and/or the host broadcaster.
"The RFU Board ratified the findings and agreed, should London Welsh win the RFU Championship final following the second leg on May 30, they would not be eligible for promotion and Newcastle Falcons would remain in the Aviva Premiership.
"Cornish Pirates did not choose to have an independent audit of the Mennaye Field and so do not fulfil the criteria for promotion should they win the final. As a result, there will be no promotion from the RFU Championship this season."
The Exiles knew the decision was due today and have tried to prepare themselves mentally for both scenarios during the long trip down to Penzanceeg.
"It won't affect our players one way or another," said London Welsh coach Lyn Jones. "The two legs over the next week is the culumination of nine months hard work from a great set of lads and winning the Championship is incentive enough.
"That will be our motivation when we cross the whitewash. Everything else, the politics, will take care of itself. It always does.
"Our backroom staff have done a great job putting our application together, our sole task is to produce two top level peformances against talented and respected opponents."
Newcastle's commercial director Duncan Edward added: “To be given the lifeline of playing in the Aviva Premiership next season and keeping top-class rugby in the region is unbelievable."
The Exiles lock horns with Cornish Pirates tonight in the first leg of the Championship play-off final.
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
London Gets Gold for ID Fraud - Yahoo Finance
NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwire -05/23/12)- London could be set for a rise in identity fraud this summer as new figures from Experian CreditExpert reveal that 7.7 million Britons from outside the capital are set to descend on some of the UK's worst areas for ID theft - while 1.9 million Londoners plan to escape.(1)
London, the boroughs around many of the Games venues in particular, is already home to the UK's worst ID fraud hotspots, with rates of attempted fraud up to 11 times higher than the national average. These include East Ham (11 times higher), Woolwich (6.5 times higher) and Stratford itself (six times higher).(2)
There will be a mass influx of people into these areas, carrying personal information in the forms of UK bank account details, and credit card details. This leaves individuals at a high risk of Identity Fraud with individuals, in unfamiliar surroundings, exercising less caution than they would normally adhere to in their normal surroundings. This presents a massive opportunity to fraudsters, with visitors likely to have passports and other pieces of personal identification about their person, be freely using smart phones and unsecured WiFi hotspots, and also potentially sharing hostels or rented accommodation with strangers all of which increase the risk of identity theft.
Visitors are therefore advised to keep a close eye on their personal information, and on their credit report following their visit for any signs of unusual activity. CreditExpert also provides alerts if your personal details appear anywhere unexpectedly online so it is easy to protect yourself pro-actively.
TOP FIVE RISKS TOP FIVE TIPS TO STAY SAFE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Passports Think about how much sensitive information you really need to have about your person - if your hotel booking has your card number and address, do you need to carry it around with you, for instance? Likewise, don't take your passport out with you unless you absolutely have to. If you are staying in a hotel for the Games, ask for sensitive documents to be securely stored in the hotel safe when you are not using them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PIN codes Make sure that no-one else can see you enter your PIN code at ATMs and chip and pin machines, particularly in large crowds. Do not write down or carry your PIN code with you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Smartphones If you have a smartphone, you'll certainly want to photograph and tweet your time at the Olympics, but be particularly careful what you share when connected to an unsecured wireless network. Also ensure you switch off Bluetooth and roaming settings when not required and ensure you use a password. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post If you're going to be one of the lucky ones visiting London for a few weeks to enjoy the Games, think about what you'll do with your post. Intercepted post is one of the key ways in which fraudsters can take people's detail, so it could be worth setting up a redirect for the duration of the Games. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Face-to-face Check the credentials of anyone asking for your personal information, whether by phone, face-to-face or over the internet. If in doubt, don't do it!
The Experian CreditExpert research reveals that no fewer than one in six Britons (16 per cent) is planning on visiting London during the Olympics, half as tourists and half to attend the Games themselves. Seventeen per cent of people coming to the capital have not been for more than a decade, with a further three per cent making their first ever trip to the city.
Nearly six out of 10 (59 per cent) will be staying for several days. Although one in four (25 per cent) will be staying in hotels and one in five (21 per cent) with friends, a significant minority (four per cent) will risk staying in a hostel and two per cent will be renting a property or someone's spare room - some 154,000 people.(3)
And although they are concerned about large crowds (23 per cent) and the expense of London (20 per cent), just three per cent are worried about identity fraud.
The risk of ID fraud among visitors is arguably heightened by the decision of many Londoners to quit the capital during the course of the Games. One in 14 (seven per cent) are looking to leave London for the duration of the Olympics, with a further one in six (17 per cent per cent) planning to get out of the city for at least some of the period.
But it's not just newcomers who need to be careful. The one in 20 Londoners taking on a lodger or renting out a room or their whole property need to be aware they are putting themselves at risk of ID fraud by inviting a stranger into their home and are advised to ensure personal details are locked away and post collected promptly.
Peter Turner, Managing Director at Experian Interactive, commented: "This is set to be a once in a lifetime summer. But that doesn't mean people should let their guard down - just because you are holidaying in the UK, you should still take the same precautions you would if you were on a city break to Europe.
"Identity fraud is one of the fastest-growing crimes of the 21st century, and anyone could be at risk from fraudsters getting hold of their personal information, particularly if they are in an unfamiliar area, renting a flat short-term or a room in a B&B. Likewise if you are a homeowner letting a spare room just for the Olympics, do ensure all your personal details are kept safe from visitors."
"This is why it is so important to have proper safeguards in place to protect your identity. With Experian CreditExpert if the worst should happen you will be alerted to any significant changes to your credit report so that you can react quickly and keep the risks to a minimum."
Identity fraud hotspots
Top 10 10k households Top 10 in 10k households nationwide Cases London Cases ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Slough 25 East Ham 78 London (all) 22 Woolwich 46 Gravesend 20 Stratford 43 Birmingham 17 Ilford 33 Luton 16 Walthamstow 27 Manchester 15 Harrow 27 Leicester 14 Cheapside 26 High Wycombe 13 Lewisham 26 Peterborough 13 Hatfield 26 Windsor 12 Enfield 26
To avoid becoming a victim of identity fraud this summer, Experian CreditExpert suggests some further tips:
1. Keep an eye on your credit report It's a history of all your credit accounts and will highlight any irregularities such as suspect applications for credit and rises in card balances. You can view your credit report free with a 30 day trial with Experian CreditExpert.(ii)((i)New customers only. Monthly fee after trial ends) 2. If in doubt, don't click If an email purporting to be from a hotel or linked to the Games seems suspicious, contact the relevant organisation and don't give out personal details. Your bank, credit card provider and any reputable business will never ask for confirmation of details by email. 3. If you do become a victim of fraud Don't forget you can sign up to Experian's CreditExpert whose dedicated victims of fraud team will work on your behalf to resolve the issue.
Notes to editors:
1. The UK adult population is 48,091,600 (ONS). Sixteen per cent of adults are set to come to London during the Olympics. Therefore: 0.16 x 48,091,600 = 7,694,656 or 7.7 million.
The population of Greater London is 7,753,000 (ONS) 24 per cent of Londoners are looking to leave the capital during some or all of the Games. Therefore: 0.24 x 7,753,000 = 1,860,720 or 1.9 million
2. Based on analysis of information from the National Hunter anti-fraud data sharing system and the Insurance Hunter database.
3. 0.02 x 7694656 = 153,893 or 154,000
Key benefits of Experian CreditExpert membership:
- Experian is the UK's most trusted credit reference agency
- Experian is the credit expert with more than 30 years of experience
- Free 30-day trial of CreditExpert(i)((i)New customers only. Monthly fee after trial ends)
- Unlimited access to your Experian Credit Score
- Weekly alerts of changes to your credit report
- Access to an award-winning, UK-based customer services team
- Identity Protection Insurance of up to GBP 75,000(ii) ((ii)terms and conditions apply)
- Expert advice and tools to help improve your credit rating
- Intelligent price matching to credit products suited to your credit history
- Consumers can apply directly from the website: www.creditexpert.co.uk
About Experian
Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients around the world. The Group helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.
Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended 31 March 2012 was US$4.5 billion. Experian employs approximately 17,000 people in 44 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Source: finance.yahoo.com
Essex fire crews to vote on strike action - thurrockgazette.co.uk
Essex fire crews to vote on strike action
12:42pm Wednesday 23rd May 2012 in News By Matt Abbott
THE Chief Fire Officer in Essex has urged firefighters to think carefully before they cast their vote in a ballot over strike action.
Firefighters across Essex are to vote on potential strike action from today as ballot papers are sent out.
By law, crews cannot strike before June 20, seven days after the ballot closes but industrial action could be taken on or soon after this date.
The Essex Fire Brigade Union says the ballot is necessary because the fire authority is imposing changes whilst also planning further cuts.
If proposed cuts to crews are implemented, it would mean that since 2008, one in five frontline fire crews have been cut.
Firefighter response times in Essex are already down one minute on the national average since 2008 and Essex FBU is warning that response times might increase again with the next wave of budget cuts.
In Thurrock, a wholetime specialist rescue crew has already been removed from Grays since 2008 and Del Godfrey-Shaw is concerned that there could be more cuts in the future.
Mr Godfrey Shaw, a firefighter at the Grays station and regional official for the FBU said: “We can’t specifically say where job cuts will be. It could be any where where managment may reduce watch.
“That could be here in Thurrock, it could be in Tendring it could be anywhere. We don’t know.
“There is lots of uncertainty and lots of frustration amongst firefighters here.”
The FBU say that whilst there have been cuts to front line fire crews, millions of pounds of tax payers money is being spent on expansion of the headquarters.
In a short video to firefighters, David Johnson, the Essex Fire Brigade chief officer called potential strike action “unfair on communities we serve”. He said: “We are a very good fire rescue service with some of the best firefighters and best equipment in the world.
“I need you to work with me to keep that going. We are ready to sit down and talk to to the FBU to resolve this dispute.
“I would urge you to support us in that.”
Mike Rogers, FBU brigade secretary said: “Essex fire crews are furious at what is going on and will be giving their verdict on cuts and imposed changes.
“Managers need to get their heads out of the sand and realise the strength of feeling.
“There is still time enough to resolve the issues between us and we are now asking the Chair to the Fire Authority to use his good offices to remove the barriers to serious talks getting underway.”
Source: www.thurrockgazette.co.uk
London Welsh not eligible for Premiership promotion - BBC News
The Rugby Football Union has deemed that London Welsh will not be eligible for promotion to the Premiership.
A report said the Exiles had not achieved the minimum standards criteria for entry into the top flight.
An RFU statement said: "The independent auditors identified various failures, including not having Primacy of Tenure at their nominated ground."
Welsh have the right to appeal but the decision effectively safeguards Newcastle's Premiership status.
The Richmond-based outfit expressed "grave disappointment" in a statement and confirmed they will be "exploring all possible avenues off the pitch" to gain promotion if they win their two-legged Championship final.
For now it appears that Newcastle's new director of rugby Dean Richards will take over a Premiership club, three years after the so-called 'bloodgate' scandal, because, although Falcons finished bottom of the table this season, the other Championship finalists Cornish Pirates did not apply to join the top flight.
A Falcons statement read: "The club would like to take this opportunity to thank fans across the region for their continued support as the Falcons embark on an exciting new era under the stewardship of incoming director of rugby Dean Richards."
And commercial director Duncan Edward went on to say: "To be given the lifeline of playing in the Aviva Premiership next season and keeping top-class rugby in the region is unbelievable."
The Exiles were forced to look for alternate venues with a capacity over 10,000 because their home ground, Old Deer Park, is too small under the Premiership's regulations.
The club will play the second leg of their play-off final against Cornish Pirates at Oxford United's Kassam Stadium next week and, following the announcement that they were not eligible, confirmed "a firm binding agreement, subject only to promotion, has already been concluded with Kassam Stadium" for next season.
But the audit findings highlighted the primacy of tenure issue as a key stumbling block.
An RFU statement added: "This states that a club must demonstrate that they can host home fixtures at the time stipulated by Premiership Rugby and/or the host broadcaster."
This season four Premiership sides have played home fixtures at football grounds which they share: London Irish, Sale, Saracens and Wasps - a fact emphasised in London Welsh's response.
"The club [London Welsh] has already sought clarification on this point, the detailed reasoning behind why primacy of tenure was not satisfied (among other things) having not yet been given by the RFU," a statement read.
"The club also notes that if promoted it would share its ground with a club from the FA, in common with other Premiership clubs.
"It is not clear why an exception made in the case of at least four top-flight clubs might not now be extended to a fifth."
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Minister opens East Kent Access Road - Kent Online
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East Kent Access Road during construciton, from Minster to Pegwell
An £86m road is to be officially opened today by local transport minister Norman Baker.
The front bencher will join Kent County Council leader Paul
Carter and South Thanet MP Laura Sandys to officially open the East
Kent Access Road.
Its completion aims to help support economic growth and create jobs
across the eastern part of the county.
It also means better transport links to such sites as Manston
Airport; the Discovery Park on the former Pfizer
site, Eurokent - a mixed-use site - and Manston Business
Park.
Eurokent and Manston business parks are joint initiatives
between Kent County Council and Thanet District Council that have
the potential to deliver 550 homes and 4,000 jobs.
The new road was built by Kent County Council with £81.25 million
funding from the Department for Transport and £5.75 million from
KCC.
Tuesday, May 22 2012
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hsdeal wrote:
Great news... now we just need Thanet Council to ignore the NIMBYs and back Manston.
23 May 2012 9:22 AM
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London mayor announces housing board members - InsideHousing
Homes for London board members:
• Nick Salisbury, former head of structured finance for the Barclays corporate bank property
• Mike Youkee, former head of housing at Quintain and former joint chief executive of the Greenwich Peninsula project
• Charmaine Young CBE, outgoing director of developer St George
• Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils’ executive member for housing
• Councillor Stephen Carr, leader of Bromley Council
• Councillor Chris Roberts, leader of Greenwich Council
Source: www.insidehousing.co.uk
Kent Desormeaux forecasts Belmont Stakes loss for I’ll Have Another, Mario Gutierrez - Sporting News
Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux does not believe I'll Have Another or 25-year-old rider Mario Gutierrez have what it takes to complete the Triple Crown sweep. I'll Have Another, Desormeaux says, is more likely to become the next in the long list of horses to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness only to come up short in the Belmont than to become the 12th Triple Crown winner in history.
Desormeaux twice had a chance at the Triple Crown going into the Belmont—aboard Real Quiet in 1998 and Big Brown in 2008. Both horses lost in New York. Since Affirmed last won the Triple Crown in 1978, 11 horses have lost in the Belmont after winning the first two legs.
"A first-time jockey will be lost (at Belmont Park). I don't care how much you try to explain it," Desormeaux told the New York Post.
"And a first-time horse will be lost, equally," Desormeaux added. "If you think you can bring a horse here and introduce him to Belmont Park a few days before the Belmont Stakes, you have wronged yourself. When you're on a mile track as a jockey, it's time to start prepping forward when you hit the last turn. The horses learn it and think it's time to go because that's what they know and that's what they're trained. As a jockey, when you get to Belmont Park, you have to mediate it and that's very difficult."
Gutierrez has never raced at the 1½-mile Belmont Park, but Doug O'Neill, I'll Have Another's trainer, wants the young rider to arrive in New York several days before the June 9 Belmont Stakes to get a feel for the track. Also, O'Neill shipped I'll Have Another to Belmont Park the day after the Preakness to give the colt a chance to get comfortable with the surroundings.
So while Desormeaux might not have his facts exactly right, his point is well taken. The Belmont's grueling distance of 1½ miles, as well as the fatigue that sets in because of three races in five weeks, have more often than not been the undoing of Triple Crown hopefuls.
Source: aol.sportingnews.com
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