ESPN Horse Racing

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Two races into the Triple Crown, a horse might show signs of fatigue. But not this year's playful Kentucky Derby winner, Giacomo. He was full of himself Tuesday morning at Hollywood Park, camped at the front of his stall while his nose bumped and tossed the hayrack like it was a tetherball.

The display of energy is one reason trainer John Shirreffs and owners Jerry and Ann Moss are looking forward to shipping Giacomo to New York for a Belmont Stakes rubber match with Afleet Alex.

Giacomo lost the Preakness by nearly 10 lengths Saturday, shipped cross-country Sunday, and by midweek was ready to return to work for trainer John Shirreffs.

"It's unbelievable - his coat is bright and shiny and he's stayed pretty much the same all the way through," Shirreffs said. "He'll probably go back to the track [Wednesday]."

Although Shirreffs declined to engage in friendly debate about the Preakness, which most observers believe was won by the best horse, he gladly expanded on Giacomo's trip.

"He and Afleet Alex were going for the same hole, and Afleet Alex got through," Shirreffs said. "He was quicker and had a little more acceleration."

Meanwhile, the logic goes, Giacomo was forced into neutral.

"While [Afleet Alex] was running, [Giacomo] was still waiting for a chance to run," Shirreffs said. "When you look them in the eye, sometimes things change. I'm just happy everything turned out well."

Shirreffs said Giacomo will train at Hollywood the next two weeks, and ship to Belmont three days before the race. The trainer expects Giacomo to like the sweeping turns at Belmont.

"He's a big, long-striding colt," Shirreffs said. "It should suit him pretty well . . . they can run through the turns. I wouldn't discount my horse's chances."

Watch the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 11 at 5 p.m. ET on NBC