For the first time in three years, Belmont Park will play host to a Triple Crown hopeful when Bob Baffert attempts to become only the second person in thoroughbred history to train two Triple Crown winners with Justify in the 150th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 9, the final and most demanding leg of the series.
In 2015, Baffert trainee American Pharaoh swept all three races to end a 37-year drought. Now, the Hall of Famer is back in familiar territory with Justify, who will look to add the Belmont Stakes to his victories in the Kentucky Derby and in Saturday’s foggy Preakness, won by a half-length over a sloppy and sealed track.
“We knew he wasn’t going to coast to the wire,” said Baffert, before Justify departed from Pimlico Race Course Sunday morning. “It was close, but for him, what he’s done; it’s his fifth race, it’s pretty incredible still. I don’t see why we won’t go to the Belmont. As long as he stays like this; he looks good. He looks pretty bright. He ate everything.”
Baffert made three Triple Crown attempts finally achieving racing’s most elusive feat with American Pharoah. Silver Charm won the first two legs in 1997, as did Real Quiet in 1998, and War Emblem in 2002, before falling short in the third jewel .
“I think it’s a little bit different,” Baffert continued. “Before, we’d go there thinking it’s going to be so difficult and something always goes wrong. I just feel, with this horse, he’s so talented, something can go wrong and he’d still win. He’s a superior horse. Yesterday, they tried something different and he handled it. He’s not one-dimensional.”
Justify, a strapping chestnut colt by Scat Daddy, is undefeated in five career starts, including three...
Some insights into tonight’s racing program for our IdaBet players:
4TH RACE – (2) ARTIFACT HANOVER goes second Lasix, second U-S try with substantial post relief. Lookin’ around, those two fun factoids may be enough.
5TH RACE – (5) CARLO’S SUPERSTAR was ‘four-eyeballed’ in a seasonal bow, poor draw but fresh Lasix. Offered some ground-saving pace then, stay now.
7TH RACE – (5) DAVID HIMSELF has been plying craft between here and Pocono of late. Picking off small change in both venues with late pace, so maybe.
8TH RACE – (3) HALLIE’S COMET has not resembled useful number of a season ago while getting no support at windows. Last tepid shot before banished.
9TH RACE – (4) LUCBOBSKI has been going in right direction, hitting the board in four of his last five here and Pennsylvania. Gazed in hard-to-figure event.
10TH RACE – (4) D G’S ELSA finally delivered goods a week ago, sneaking up comes after we’ve stalked forever. Stay as trainer goes after double-four double.
Posted by Carie Beard in Blog, Horse Racing & Betting News, Player News | 0 comments
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Some insights into this afternoon’s racing program for our IdaBet players:
1ST RACE – (7) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN has been playing catch-up, making just third try of season. Former YR Trot runner-up did jump last time here.
3RD RACE – (1) DEWYCOLORINTHELINE returns here at what for him is dirt-cheap level. Wins draw in today’s third of four ‘French’ trots, thus gets gazed.
4TH RACE – (2) TOBER is another who finds himself at unusually-shallow end of pool. Solid, two-move effort after dipping to this class, need not be much.
6TH RACE – (1) SUMMER SIDE continues to very race well in recent tries. Outgamed by odds-on number this past Monday night, can’t vouch for pole value.
9TH RACE – (1) DREAM OUT LOUD N remains a ‘four-eyeball’ after last out. Leaving, yielding and getting buried behind stopper, has to get better trip here.
10TH RACE – (6) MACINTOSH N continues our theme of freefallers. Tried him last out versus better, going wrong way from pocket, so have to stay in finale.
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$2 +/- (thru Thu., May 17) – 128 wins ($1,101.10)
from 584 ($1,168) selex (-$66.90, we’re trudging along)
highest-priced winner – INSPIRATION VIEW ($36.60)
lowest-priced winners – NATIONAL SEELSTER/JORDAN BLUE CHIP
($2.50 each)
BY FRANK DRUCKER,
Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
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