Wet track no problem for Tale of Verve in Belmont

NEW YORK (AP) A wet track for the Belmont Stakes won't compromise Tale of Verve's bid to spoil the Triple Crown try by American Pharoah.

The long-range forecast for Saturday calls for a 50 percent chance of showers. Both American Pharoah and Tale of Verve proved in the Preakness they can handle whatever nature throws at them.

A violent storm hit Pimlico minutes before the race. Heavy rain instantly turned the track to slop while lightning flashed in the distance.

American Pharoah took it in stride and splashed to a seven-length victory. Tale of Verve was the only other horse to handle the slick surface, rallying from far back to second.

Tale of Verve was right at home on an unseasonably cool Tuesday morning at Belmont Park, where persistent drizzle was punctuated by occasional downpours. The colt galloped 1 1/2 miles.

''He looked good, came home good, grazed good,'' trainer Dallas Stewart said. ''The appetite and the energy is there that I like to see.''

Wet or dry track Saturday, Stewart feels his colt will be closer to the pace in the rematch.