Big Guy Ian will be tested against easier company
A pair of competitive first-level $77,000 allowance races will share top billing on Wednesday’s program at Belmont Park.
A field of nine 3-year-olds will go a mile out of the chute in race 7.
Big Guy Ian, a $375,000 purchase last spring, progressed nicely in three starts at Gulfstream Park over the winter for trainer Michael Dilger. He garnered his maiden win second time out, and then forced the pace in a super key race against Constitution, Tonalist, and Wicked Strong, who have collectively won the Florida Derby, Peter Pan, Belmont Stakes, and the Wood Memorial since then.
In his only subsequent start, Big Guy Ian caught a speed-favoring sloppy track in the Sir Bear Stakes, and chased wire-to-wire winner C. Zee to the stretch.
Among Big Guy Ian’s opponents on Wednesday is Protonico. He was never headed at Delaware Park last September in his debut, and returned two months later to finish a respectable sixth in the Grade 2 Nashua Stakes. The colt by Giant’s Causeway has since been purchased and turned over to Todd Pletcher, and has posted some sharp workouts in preparation for his seasonal debut.
Venetian Mask, whose half-brother Jaguar Paw won twice at Belmont last year including an overnight stakes, was bet to odds-on for his unveiling on May 6 at Parx Racing, and recovered from a slow start to win by eight widening lengths for Chad Brown.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT:No. 2 Venetian Mask (5-2 morning line): Trainer Chad Brown is 8 for 42 (19 percent win rate) with only a $0.87 ROI in the second career start of horses that won their maiden in their first start. Click for more details. Click for more details.
– Mike Hogan
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Magic Cash overcame a wide trip from post 11 for a second-out maiden win at Pimlico with blinkers on. The Tapit colt has since changed hands to Tony Dutrow, and fired a bullet work at Fair Hill last week.
The top Beyer Speed Figure belongs to All My Memories, who earned an 89 graduating at seven furlongs for Jason Servis earlier at the meet.
Lieutenant Seany O, who has won or placed in all four starts since being purchased by owner-trainer David Jacobson, looms a threat from the rail.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT:No. 1 Lieutenant Seany O (3-1 morning line): Trainer/jockey combo of David Jacobson and Cornelio Velasquez are 5 for 11 (and 10 ITM) with a $4.03 ROI in allowance routes at Belmont over the last five years. Click for more details.
– Mike Hogan
Fourteen fillies and mares entered race 8, scheduled for the Widener turf at seven furlongs.
Linda Rice, who vaulted to third in the trainer standings recently, sends out Ballerina Belle, a fast-closing second in her first start of the year behind Mah Jong Maddnes, who came right back to win the Mount Vernon Stakes.
Roses for Romney, who was a tough-trip fourth in the Mount Vernon last out, projects as part of the early pace with Kiss Me Lola, Painted Poney, Tokyo Time, and Violet Hour.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT:No. 4 Ballerina Belle (5-1 morning line): Rallied to finish 2nd in last, a race that came back strong with three next out winners. Click for more details.
– Mike Hogan