Alterite nearly ready for comeback

ELMONT, N.Y. - The Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational was formerly known as the Garden City, so when Minorette won it on Saturday it essentially gave trainer Chad Brown his third consecutive victory in this race. Alterite, who won the Garden City last year, is getting closer to her 4-year-old debut.

On Monday, Alterite worked five furlongs in 1:00.95 over the Oklahoma turf course at Saratoga and could be ready to run in the Grade 1 Diana on July 19, Brown said.

Alterite has not run since finishing third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. She had a chip removed from an ankle shortly thereafter.

“We’re a little bit against the clock, but if everything goes according to plan I should have enough work in her to get to the Diana in good shape,” Brown said.