Belmont Park: Declan’s Warrior to enter Woody Stephens

ELMONT, N.Y. - Nick Zito is taking it day by day with his talented sprinter Declan’s Warrior, and as of Monday he was planning to enter the 3-year-old in Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 Woody Stephens.

After Declan’s Warrior ran very hard and very fast in winning the Gygistar Stakes on May 22, Zito said he might skip the Woody Stephens because it came back in just 17 days and he might considering stretching Declan’s Warrior, a son of Majestic Warrior, out in the Dwyer on July 6.

“I wish we had a bit more time, but the horse has responded beautifully,” said Zito, who worked Declan’s Warrior a half-mile in 48.44 seconds Saturday at Saratoga. “He’s been acting real sharp. His breeze was as nice and as easy as you can have. The Woody Stephens is a prestigious race, and it’s up his alley. As I talk to you today, I will enter and then make a decision.”

Declan’s Warrior is 4 for 5 overall and 2 for 2 at Belmont. On April 6, he won the Grade 3 Bay Shore by a head over Clearly Now. On May 22, he won the Gygistar by a neck over Tenango, completing seven furlongs in 1:20.85 and earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 93.

The Woody Stephens is shaping up as a terrific race with a large field. Others expected to enter are Capo Bastone, Clearly Now, Forty Tales, Honorable Dillon, Let Em Shine, Merit Man, Retreive, Salutos Amigos, Tenango, and Trinni Heart.