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CNN Saturday Morning News

Will War Emblem Win Triple Crown?

Aired June 08, 2002 - 09:49   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, a feisty 3-year-old colt may gallop into the pages of racing immortality at the Belmont Stakes today.

CNN Sports correspondent Matt Morrison joins us from New York with a preview of War Emblem's run for the Triple Crown.

Everyone's talking about it, Matt.

MATT MORRISON, CNNSI CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, it's anticipation of great sports history here at Belmont, New York, Belmont Stakes, later today, of course, here at the mile and a half track. War Emblem has been the talk of the racing season, and a late arrival in the racing season. The colt was purchased in March for $900,000 by a consortium from overseas and trained by Bob Baffert.

And this is a horse that really has all the goods, not only the physical ability but the heart as well. Bob Baffert, the trainer, is going for his third shot at a Triple Crown in the last five years, and he came to the track well equipped.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOB BAFFERT, WAR EMBLEM'S TRAINER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a good horse, the excitement of winning the Derby, the Preakness, is great. So hopefully with some racing luck, he'll get it done.

MORRISON: You mentioned some of your family members who are here. The sense of history is certainly not lost on the people who are looking forward to this race. What about the sense of history in your mind?

BAFFERT: Well, I mean, the history is that this is something that hopefully my kids and my -- I'm glad my parents are here, they're getting up there in age. And for them to be alive and be able to see this makes me feel better about it. For me, I'll just keep on going and hopefully get here again.

You know, I have a little -- hopefully a long period in front of me, so hopefully be back here.

MORRISON: Having been this close twice in the past five years, is it any -- I mean, is there more urgency at all, do you feel? BAFFERT: No, I think I feel a little bit more -- I'm probably a little bit in anticipation and a little tense, you know, because I want to get it done. But I think probably a little bit wiser. But it's a very tough field.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MORRISON: And Kyra, it appears everybody wants to see this piece of history, not only Bob Baffert but the fans here that'll be at the track and millions more watching worldwide.

Takes on a little extra significance, I think, this year because the last living Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew, who won the event in 1977, passed away last month. So there is a sense of history, and for the first time since 1919, there is no living Triple Crown winner. I think a lot of folks are rooting for War Emblem to be that. Post time at 6:10 later today at Belmont Park.

PHILLIPS: All right, Matt Morrison, thanks so much.

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