Travel arrangements have been confirmed for two potential starters for the 140th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 7. Owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto and trainer Kazuo Fujisawa will ship in Casino Drive and Spark Candle to Aqueduct on Wednesday, April 30 – the Opening Day of Belmont Park’s 49-day Spring/Summer Meet.

They are expected to enter quarantine at the Big A by 1 a.m.

Casino Drive is the more intriguing of the two horses, mainly because of his pedigree. His sire is 2003 Horse of the Year, Mineshaft. The story, however, is his dam, the Deputy Minister mare Better Than Honour, who is also the dam of 2006 Belmont Stakes winner Jazil (by Seeking the Gold) and 2007 Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches (by 1992 Horse of the Year and Belmont Stakes winner A.P. Indy).

Rags to Riches became only the third filly in history and the first in 102 years to win the 1 ½-mile “Test of the Champion,” when she beat eventual 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin by a head.

If three half-siblings can win three consecutive Belmont Stakes, it may prove to be as tough a record to break as the late Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens’ unprecedented string of five straight Belmont Stakes victories from 1982-86, respectively, with Conquistador Cielo, Caveat, Swale, Crème Fraiche and Danzig Connection.

Casino Drive has had only one race in his career, that being an 11 ½-length victory at Kyoto on February 23, where he covered the about nine furlongs in 1:54 2/5. He is expected to prep for the Belmont Stakes in the Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan for three-year-olds at nine furlongs on Sunday, May 10 at Belmont Park.

Spark Candle is not exactly a slouch in the breeding department, either. He is a son of A.P. Indy out of Hall of Famer Serena’s Song, who retired in 1996 with 11 Grade 1 victories and record earnings for an American filly or mare ($3,286,388). Unraced since December, Spark Candle has a record of 1-2-0 from five starts. All but one of his races have been on turf, but that lone dirt race was a dismal 12th-place finish at Nakayama. His only victory came at a mile and quarter in Tokyo last October, when he got a neck up at the wire.

Casino Drive and Spark Candle are both Kentucky-bred and were purchased at the 2006 Keeneland September Sale for $950,000 and $1.5 million, respectively.

The Belmont Stakes will be the centerpiece of a huge day at Belmont Park, North America’s largest racetrack. It will top a day of six graded stakes races, including four Grade 1 races. There will be a guaranteed $1 million all-stakes Pick 6 and a guaranteed $1 million all-stakes Pick 4.

ABC Sports and ESPN will be televising the action on Belmont Stakes Day, and the 13-race card begins at noon.

Additionally, the Belmont Stakes Festival will be held on track on June 7. Adults can participate in backyard games such as boxing, speed pitch, jousting and even a chance to drop someone in the dunk tank. Kids will have their own Fun Zone, featuring face painters, carnival games, craft booths and mini golf. All events will run from 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Music will also be a big part of Belmont Stakes Day, with the Moving Out Band, from the Broadway musical, playing in the concert area from 10 a.m. – noon. Rockjunky follows with its performance from noon to 6 p.m.

Seats are still available for the Belmont Stakes. To apply on-line, click here to download the 2008 Belmont Stakes Lottery application.