Bob Neumeier

Military recruiters have used the catch-phrase “Uncle Sam Wants You” as an advertising slogan to attract future soldiers. To further illustrate the point,  Madison Avenue used a powerful visual of Sam pointing his index finger at potential candidates.

It is only a slight reach to compare the officials of the upcoming Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships to Uncle Sam. In the modern-day case, they would be pointing their fingers at a racing stall with a famous occupant and screaming, “Afleet Alex, We Want You!”

More to the point, we need you.

Alex is set for a crucial 5-furlong workout at Belmont Park on Friday. Should the popular Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner pass that hurdle and if trainer Tim Ritchey can find a suitable prep race (Perryville Stakes, Keeneland, Oct. 14?), then Afleet Alex should be given the green light to challenge heavy hitters Borrego, Rock Hard Ten and Saint Liam in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

That scenario would be an enormous adrenaline boost for the event. Like it or not, racing fans, mainstream America only knows the Triple Crown horses and everybody is aware of Afleet Alex, surviving the near-disaster at Pimlico in the Preakness and the subsequent blowout win in the Belmont Stakes, even if it was at the expense of the worst field in the history of the race.

America also knows the gut-wrenching story Alex’s Lemonade Stand, where thousands of dollars have been raised for cancer research in the horse’s name.

Trouble is, the horse has not raced since that Belmont tour de force, suffering a fracture in July that required surgery. Trainer Richey has nursed the 3-year-old back to excellent health. In fact, an excellent :59 and change workout at Belmont, site of the Cup, last week seemed to surprise even his own conditioner.

But even with that positive move, Ritchey told an NTRA teleconference, that Afleet Alex remained “50-50” to make the Classic.

His entrance into that race would be fascinating stuff, because he would then have to face older horses Borrego, Rock Hard Ten and Saint Liam, among others.

After his scintillating win at Belmont in the Gr. 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, Borrego is clearly the “now” horse and will take the bulk of the betting money, given how impressive his effort turned out to be. That win, coupled with this victory in the Pacific Classic, should be enough to make him the Classic favorite.

Hard Ten will go like Alex with just a single prep race following an extended layoff. But that race was a no-nonsense, methodical victory in the Goodwood at Santa Anita.

Don’t forget Saint Liam. His natural speed and stamina are ideal for the Belmont Park layout, as his two-length victory over Sir Shackleton proved in the Woodward Stakes.

Injuries have taken their toll on this division. We would have loved to see defending champion Ghostzapper or 2004 Classic runner-up Roses in May in this year’s event. Even the improved Eddington would have added extra juice to the lineup, but injuries have sent all three to the sidelines.

Slide show   The Week in Sports Pictures Fireworks, crash landings, Wimbledon theatrics and more. more photos

All will be forgotten if Afleet Alex makes it to the starting gate for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  His entry will trigger debates about 3-year-olds vs. older horses. Can Ritchey get him ready with just one prep and a series of workouts? How will jockey Jeremy Rose handle the pressure of a $4 million race against legitimate competition and not the tomato-cans he handled in the Belmont Stakes?

Those of us that love the sport of racing desperately want to tackle those questions. So we root (yes root) that Afleet Alex handles his Friday workout in good shape and gets his much-needed prep race.

Circle the calendar, Alex.

Saturday, Oct. 29.

Belmont Park, Elmont, N.Y.

Uncle Sam ... err, America’s sports fans WANT YOU!

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