Report: Gosger will skip Belmont for Haskell or Jim Dandy

Gosger, runner-up to Journalism in Saturday's Preakness Stakes, will not be pointed to the Belmont Stakes.

Trainer Brendan Walsh told Daily Racing Form that possibilities for his next start include the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes on July 19 or the Jim Dandy (G2) on July 26.

Walsh said Gosger came out of the Preakness in good order and that he wants to give him more time before his next start. The Belmont is on June 7, three weeks after the Preakness.

Gosger, a Nyquist colt owned and bred by Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stables, has two wins and two seconds from four career starts. After breaking his maiden in January in his second start, he won the Lexington (G3) before returning in the Preakness.

Gosger's defection leaves the likely field for the Belmont at six. They include Sovereignty and Baeza, who were first and third in the Kentucky Derby, and Journalism, second in the Derby but not confirmed for the Belmont. Also in the mix are Rodriguez, Heart of Honor and Hill Road.

The New York Racing Association website lists Sandman, Final Gambit and Crudo as possibilities, but they are not confirmed.