Danza pulled from Belmont Stakes contention

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Elmont, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Arkansas Derby winner Danza has been removed from consideration for the upcoming 146th Belmont Stakes on June 7.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Danza finished third to California Chrome in the Kentucky Derby on May 3 and skipped the Preakness Stakes for a possible start in the 1 1/2-mile "Test of the Champion."

"We're sad to report that Danza won't be running in the Belmont Stakes.The horse always comes first and we hope to see Danza back on top soon," the ownership group posted on Twitter.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Danza was a 41-1 longshot winner of the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on April 12. The colt closed to finish third in the Run for the Roses at 8-1.

Danza has banked $866,428 with two wins from five starts.