Affirmed Success far better spot for Loki's Vengeance
ELMONT, N.Y. – With two-time champion Palace retired, the New York-bred male sprint division is wide open and in need of a new kingpin. To date, the 3-year-olds Awesome Gent and Sudden Surprise have done their best to fill the void.
On Friday, older New York-bred sprinters get their chance in the $100,000 Affirmed Success, the opening-day feature on a nine-race Belmont Park card that begins at 1:30 p.m. Eastern.
Led by last year’s Affirmed Success winner, Loki’s Vengeance, nine New York-breds were entered in the six-furlong race named after a multiple Grade 1-winning Kentucky-bred who raced almost exclusively on the New York Racing Association circuit.
Loki’s Vengeance won this race at odds of 11-1 last year, taking advantage of a hot early pace to beat Empire Dreams by 1 3/4 lengths. Loki’s Vengeance enters this year’s Affirmed Success off a seventh-place finish in the Grade 3 Tom Fool, a bit of an ambitious spot coming off a four-month layoff.
“It was a terrible race,” trainer Mike Hushion said. “We wanted to run in this race. I don’t know what we would have found to run him in before then.”
The last time he raced in restricted company, Loki’s Vengeance won a division of the New York Stallion Series going seven furlongs last November.
There does not appear to be a standout in the Affirmed Success field. Eye Luv Lulu is the only member of the field coming off a win, and that came over a muddy track, his preferred surface. Rain is in the forecast for Friday morning.
Drama King finished fourth behind Eye Luv Lulu, perhaps owing to the wet surface. Prior to that, he had won three consecutive starts on fast tracks. He is, however, winless in five starts at Belmont.
Ostrolenka is 4 for 5 at Belmont, but six furlongs is shorter than his preferred distance.
Affirmed Success, Race 8
KEY CONTENDERS
Drama King, by Nobiz Like Shobiz
Last 3 Beyers: 71-91-91
◗ Likely favorite in this spot, he beat four of the rivals he faces here in the Hollie Hughes Stakes going six furlongs over a fast Aqueduct inner track in February.
◗ In his lone start since, he trailed throughout when finishing last of four to Eye Luv Lulu over a muddy Aqueduct main track.
◗ Irad Ortiz Jr. replaces Junior Alvarado.
Between the Lines, by Read the Footnotes
Last 3 Beyers: 77-89-91
◗ Bled when finishing third behind Drama King and Eye Luv Lulu in the Hollie Hughes and has been freshened since.
◗ Has fired three bullet workouts over the Belmont training track in preparation for this.
◗ In a race that appears to have plenty of speed, his off-the-pace style fits.
Loses jockey Jose Ortiz, but picks up Angel Arroyo, who did win on him the only time he rode him.
Loki’s Vengeance, by Frost Giant
Last 3 Beyers: 81-89-85
◗ Comes off a 10 1/2-length loss in the Tom Fool Handicap, his first start in four months.
◗ In 2014, he bounced back from a last-place finish in the Grade 3 Bay Shore to win a New York Stallion Stakes race in his next start.
◗ Jose Ortiz rides.