NEW YORK — There's no Triple Crown on the line and the Kentucky Derby winner isn't running, yet there's still a compelling story line for Saturday's Belmont Stakes — a filly is in the field.

Rags to Riches takes on Preakness winner Curlin and the rest of the boys in her attempt to become the third filly to win the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

Curlin may be the betting favorite, but Rags to Riches will surely be the sentimental choice among many at Belmont Park.

"I'm very curious to see how she stacks up against what I think is a group of excellent 3-year-olds," Curlin's trainer Steve Asmussen said.

Rags to Riches, who ran her winning streak to four in a row by taking the Kentucky Oaks by 4Z\v lengths five weeks ago, jazzes up a Belmont that will be without Derby winner Street Sense. Trainer Carl Nafzger declared his colt out of the race after his Triple Crown bid ended in the Preakness.

"It's a talented field, all the right horses are here except for Street Sense," said Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito, who will send out long shot C P West, fourth in the Preakness. "We're giving it a shot."

At 1Z\x miles, the Belmont is the longest and most grueling of the Triple Crown races, but of course, most of the trainers believe their horses fit the course.

Todd Pletcher, who trains Rags to Riches, may have the strongest case. His filly is a daughter of 1992 Belmont winner A.P. Indy and a half sister to last year's Belmont winner, Jazil. And with her powerful running style, it all added up to taking a shot at history.

"At the end of the day, we're in this business to try and do something special on Saturday," said Pletcher, who is 0-for-28 in Triple Crown races. "This hasn't been done in modern times."