New York, NY (Sports Network) - The Belmont Stakes, the final leg of racing"s Triple Crown, will once again be televised on ABC beginning in 2006. The network and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced the deal on Monday. The Belmont Stakes returns to ABC in 2006 for the first time since the Triple Crown races moved to NBC in 2001. The pact is for just two years, 2006 and 2007. The NYRA"s franchise for its three thoroughbred tracks expires in 2007. The association has been under scrutiny recently because of irregularities in its operation. The remaining Triple Crown races, Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, are not involved in the deal with ABC. NBC will televise the three races in 2005.
