ELMONT, N.Y.-- Blood tests on Red Bullet, who finished a disappointing third as the 3-5 favorite in the Dwyer last Sunday, revealed an elevated white blood cell count, trainer Joe Orseno said Wednesday at Belmont Park.

Red Bullet, the Preakness winner, turned in a dull effort in the Dwyer and finished 4 3/4 lengths behind front-running winner, Albert the Great.

On Monday, blood was drawn from Red Bullet, and Orseno's suspicion that the colt might be suffering from an infection was confirmed Tuesday when the results were returned to the trainer.

Orseno said that a horse's white count normally is 6 through 11. Red Bullet had a 13.6 count.

"With two days of fluid treatment, he is brighter and his coat looks good," Orseno said. "Dr.[Jim] Kenny, an acupuncturist, is going to come over to feel around for a sensitive spot to see what may have caused the infection."

Red Bullet is scheduled to return to the track for a jog on Thursday morning. Orseno said he plans to work the colt either next Tuesday or Wednesday with jockey Jerry Bailey in the saddle.

Red Bullet's next goal is the $1 million Haskell Invitational Aug. 6 at Monmouth Park, where he would face More Than Ready, second in the Dwyer, and Commendable, the Belmont winner, who finished last in the four-horse Dwyer.

"He has to be training perfect going into the Haskell, or we'll wait for something else," Orseno said. "I want him training like he was going into the Preakness."

Red Bullet passed the Kentucky Derby, then stunned the highly touted Derby winner, Fusaichi Pegasus, in the Preakness. Owner Frank Stronach decided to pass the Belmont as well, and Red Bullet returned to the races in his Dwyer defeat.

The Dwyer winner, Albert the Great, is heading to the $400,000 Jim Dandy on Aug. 5 at Saratoga.