Trainer Says Holy Bull Won’t Run in Belmont

Holy Bull, the beaten Kentucky Derby favorite but a dazzling winner of the Metropolitan Handicap on Monday, will not race in the Belmont Stakes on June 11.

“I just think that is is best for the horse,” owner-trainer Jimmy Croll said Thursday. “He needs more time. He comes first, and I have to do what’s best for him.”

Instead, Holy Bull is scheduled run against 3-year-olds in the 1 1/16-mile Dwyer on July 3 at Belmont. One of his rivals in that race will be Twining, who is unbeaten in five starts.

After finishing 12th in the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby, Holy Bull was held out of the 1 3/16-mile Preakness because of minor physical problems. He returned to action on Memorial Day and beat older horses in the Metropolitan mile. It was Holy Bull’s eighth victory in 10 starts, and his sixth wire-to-wire victory.