Belmont Stakes runner-up Destin ends nine-month layoff

ELMONT, N.Y. – Destin, inches away from winning the Belmont Stakes nearly a year ago, returns to the races off a nine-month layoff Sunday in a high-caliber allowance race at Belmont Park.

Destin was beaten a nose by Creator in last year’s Belmont Stakes. He has not run since finishing ninth behind Arrogate in the Grade 1 Travers last August at Saratoga.

Fatigue, more than fragility, prompted trainer Todd Pletcher to send Destin to the sidelines for the remainder of 2016. He said the horse ended up having more time off than originally planned, delaying his return to the races by about a month.

“The idea is to hopefully have a fresh horse for the summer and fall,” Pletcher said.

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Destin was talented enough to win off workouts at first asking at Belmont in the fall of his 2-year-old season. At 3, he won the Sam F. Davis Stakes and Tampa Bay Derby before running sixth in the Kentucky Derby. He ran a dynamite race in the Belmont Stakes, opening up a 1 1/2-length lead in midstretch only to get run down late by Creator.

Destin shows seven works at the Palm Beach Downs training center for his return.

“We’ve done enough with him for him to be fit,” Pletcher said. “He doesn’t overachieve in the mornings. He should run well, but the race should bring him forward as well.”

Destin drew a favorable outside post in this seven-horse field set to go 1 1/16 miles.

The race drew some talented runners, including Touchofstarquality, who has run very well at Belmont and off layoffs for trainer Michelle Nevin. Hereditary, a regally bred 6-year-old, will make his first start as a gelding for trainer Shug McGaughey. Splashtastic won four consecutive races over the fall and winter before finishing last in the Stymie. He came back with a decent second-place finisher to Dolphus in this condition April 23.

Race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Destin, by Giant’s Causeway

Last 3 Beyers: 81-99-99

One of the more highly regarded 3-year-olds of 2016, he returns in allowance company with a solid, albeit unspectacular, work tab.

Figures to get a sweet, outside stalking trip under John Velazquez.

Touchofstarquality, by Mineshaft

Last 3 Beyers: 84-104-99

Has a 3-3-1 record from eight starts at Belmont.

In one of his wins, he defeated Shaman Ghost, who has won five graded stakes.

Figures to be on or close to the pace early under Jose Ortiz.

Hereditary, by Medaglia d’Oro

Last 3 Beyers: 95-95-89

Makes his first start as a gelding for the Phipps Stable.

“I thought his three races at Tampa were pretty good. I didn’t think his race at Aqueduct was very good,” McGaughey said, referring to Hereditary’s fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Excelsior. “I watched him around here, and he wasn’t eating that good and standing in the back of his stall. If I sold him to somebody, they would have cut him, so we’ll see if it changes anything.”