ELMONT, N.Y. -- Nick Zito, a non-participant in the Triple Crown races for the first time in years, gave warning Sunday he will be a presence in the major 3-year-old races of the summer.

	Albert the Great is expected to make his next start in the Jim Dandy on Aug. 5.

Albert the Great, a gelded son of the Zito-trained 1994 Kentucky Derby winner Go For Gin, led every step of the way to take Sunday's $150,000, Grade 2 Dwyer Stakes by three lengths before 10,851 at Belmont Park. More Than Ready, the fourth-place finisher in the Derby, was second, 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Preakness winner and 3-5 Dwyer favorite Red Bullet.

Belmont Stakes winner Commendable was another half-length back in last. It was the fourth consecutive victory for Albert the Great, who didn't break his maiden until two weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby.

"To beat a Preakness winner and a Belmont winner and a great horse like More Than Ready coming off an allowance race, you have to say it's a tremendous feat," said Zito, who also won Sunday's seventh race with a 3-year-old colt named Harley Quinn. "This is one of my best days."

It was one of trainer Joe Orseno's worst days in months. He was mystified at the bland performance put in by Red Bullet, who acted up in the gate and whom jockey Jerry Bailey said was done "4 1/2 to five furlongs" out.

"I didn't expect to hear that, which makes me more confused," Orseno said.

"Maybe being pinned in down there like that was the reason. I knew one turn wasn't his game, but I figured he'd overcome it. Dullness is what I don't understand."

The race went exactly as Zito hoped it would when he went over strategy with jockey Richard Migliore Sunday morning. Breaking from the outside, Albert the Great opened up a clear lead just a few strides out of the gate. He may have been helped somewhat when More Than Ready, under John Velazquez, broke in a tangle and forced Brice Blanc to take up on Commendable.

Blanc switched Commendable three wide, rushed him up and moved him off Albert the Great's flank after an opening quarter run in 24.18 seconds. When Albert the Great felt Commendable, Migliore said "he took off" and the second quarter was run in 22.45 seconds.

Albert the Great opened up a two-length lead after three-quarters run in 1:10.51 and was never seriously threatened through the lane. Albert the Great covered the 1 1/16-miles in 1:42.62 over fast track. Albert the Great returned $16 to win.

Migliore kept Albert the Great in the middle of the track because "horses were making runs up the inside and were laboring," at Belmont on Sunday, according to Migliore. Migliore believes Albert the Great is a quality horse who will be a factor in the Jim Dandy on Aug. 5 and the Travers on Aug. 26.

"I felt that way from the first time I rode him," Migliore, who has been aboard for all four of Albert The Great's wins. "I think he's a quality horse. I'm really happy to have this horse going to Saratoga."

Trainer Todd Pletcher said he was pleased with More Than Ready's performance, his first race since the Kentucky Derby.

"I thought he ran well," Pletcher said. "Coming off a two-month layoff he broke a little bit in a tangle and the winner got away with an easy first quarter. We were moving into the fastest part of the race. Considering everything I thought he ran very well."

Albert the Great is expected to make his next start in the Jim Dandy on Aug. 5. More Than Ready, who was being pointed to the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, could also show up in the Jim Dandy unless Monmouth officials "tighten up the track and put some water on it," Pletcher said.

Unless Orseno finds something wrong with Red Bullet, he is expected to run in the Haskell as is Commendable, who trainer D. Wayne Lukas said "got a lot out of" the Dwyer.