Commanding Curve on Friday recorded his first breeze since his runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby, working a half-mile in 48 4/5 seconds over a “good” track at Churchill Downs as he prepares for the June 7 Belmont Stakes.
It was a bit of an ugly start, but a good-looking finish for Tonalist, who established himself as a prime contender for the June 7 Belmont Stakes with a four-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes at sloppy Belmont Park.
LL Cool J, Frank Sinatra Jr., and former New York Yankees centerfielder Bernie Williams headline the musical acts that will perform at the June 7 Belmont Stakes, the New York Racing Association announced on Friday.
Christophe Clement will send out the likely favorite, Tonalist, while Jimmy Toner will saddle the main speed of the race in Fabulous Kid in the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan, the local prep for the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 7.
The striking thing about Saturday's Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park is the almost complete lack of early speed. In a total pace play, I’m going with Fabulous Kid, who, barring an unlucky start, will be the lone front runner, and be as loose early as he wants to be.
Our Caravan is the only stakes winner among seven 3-year-olds entered Wednesday in the Peter Pan, the local prep for the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 7.
Candy Boy is a candidate for the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7 following a troubled trip in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs last Saturday.
Trainer Christophe Clement hopes Tonalist can catch the last leg of the Triple Crown, the June 7 Belmont Stakes, but must first get a good performance out of the Tapit colt in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont.
One of the horses pointing for the Sir Bear, a one-mile overnight stakes here on Kentucky Derby Day, is Little Daddy, who is unbeaten in two starts.
While there will be some price increases in admission and seating for this year’s Belmont Stakes, they are not nearly as steep as initially thought when NYRA President and Chief Executive Chris Kay suggested they would be in line with prices for the Kentucky Derby.
