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CNN Live Saturday

War Emblem Makes Run for Triple Crown

Aired June 08, 2002 - 12:42   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now out to the racetrack, where War Emblem makes his run for the Triple Crown today. The 3-year-old colt is the favorite in the Belmont Stakes, but that doesn't secure an easy victory. Not at all. Our Matt Morrison joins us from Elmont, New York with the details from there. Hi there, Matt.

MATT MORRISON, CNNSI CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka. Yeah, there is a lot of anticipation here at the track, obviously with history on the line. And, of course, history is important in this, because it is so rare that we get a Triple Crown winner. As you probably already know, haven't had one in 24 years, and War Emblem can be the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

Since the beginning of the weekend, since winning both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, the focus has been on Bob Baffert, War Emblem's trainer, who has been here twice in the last five years, having won the first two legs of the Triple Crown. So Baffert feels a little urgency to perhaps nail his spot in history today.

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BOB BAFFERT, WAR EMBLEM'S TRAINER: I've come in here very focused for this horse. You know, I've probably been -- a lot of my people around me say I'm a little bit more nervous for this one, because I don't want to mess it up. I want to get it done, so we're looking good.

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MORRISON: And Fredricka, certainly there are thoroughbred fans and sporting fans worldwide that would love to see another Triple Crown winner. And really for the first time since Affirmed, there has been no excitement in horse racing like there is here.

Now, either way there is going to be history, because either War Emblem will be the 12th Triple Crown winner in thoroughbred history, or he'll be the 16th horse to come to the Belmont Stakes and have those hopes dashed. It's the 10th race on the 12-race card today. Post time 6:10 Eastern time. A lot of anticipation.

WHITFIELD: All right. War Emblem, if it takes it, could be joining great company -- Affirmed, Secretariat and Seattle Slew.

All right. Thanks very much, Matt, appreciate it. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com