After discussions earlier in the week, Malibu Moon’s Grade 1-winning colt Gormley was entered in Saturday’s $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1), the final leg of the Triple Crown.

Jun 07, 2017 She was joined on the journey by Jerry and Ann Moss' Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby winner Gormley, trained by John Shirreffs, on assignment for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets. Shirreffs said the trip took about 12 hours from Southern California, including a refueling stop, but was otherwise uneventful. Jun 09, 2017 Owners Ann and Jerry Moss hope Gormley returns them to racing’s heights in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park after their bid for the Preakness Stakes went painfully awry. Gormley (foaled March 20, 2014, in Kentucky) is a two-time Grade I winning-American Thoroughbred racehorse. One of the leading contenders on the 2017 Road to the Kentucky Derby, Gormley finished ninth in the Derby and fourth in the Belmont Stakes. He was retired in October 2017 to Spendthrift Farm, where his sire, Malibu Moon stands.

Gormley, owned by Jerome and Anne Moss, drew post 3 for Saturday’s 1 1/2-mile contest and will be ridden by regular rider Victor Espinosa.

“He deserves the opportunity,” said Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, wife of trainer John Shirreffs and racing manager for the Mosses.

Gormley got a less-than-clean trip the Kentucky Derby, finishing mid-pack, leaving his connections hoping for more for the winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Sham S. (G3) earlier in the year.

Gormley has worked three times since the Derby, increasing in distance each time as he prepares for the longest of the Triple Crown races.

“He was steady all the way, finished great, and galloped out nice,” Espinoza said of Gormley’s seven-furlong work on June 3. “It went the way I wanted it to. I didn’t want him slowing down, so that was good.”

Gormley Belmont New York

The decision to run Saturday was made by his owner and trainer after consulting with Spendthrift Farm’s owner B. Wayne Hughes. Spendthrift has the breeding rights to Gormley upon his retirement. Gormley is Malibu Moon’s leading active runner of 2017 with $684,000 in earnings this year.

Gormley Belmont Oh

Post time for the Belmont, which will be televised live on NBC-TV, is at 6:37 p.m. ET.