Up With the Birds more likely for Knickerbocker start

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Up With the Birds headlined the list of 23 nominees for the Grade 1, $1 million Canadian International on Oct. 19 at Woodbine, but trainer Malcolm Pierce said Up With the Birds likely will head to Belmont Park for Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Knickerbocker Stakes instead.

Up With the Birds would be returning to the scene of his first career Grade 1 victory for the Knickerbocker, as he captured the Jamaica Handicap at the same distance on Belmont Park’s inner turf course last October.

Up With the Birds has been working steadily since finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Arlington Million on Aug. 16. He breezed four furlongs on Polytrack in 48 seconds Sunday, with his last work on the turf training track coming Sept. 28, in 1:00.20 for five furlongs.

“He’s in good form,” Pierce said. “I thought he had a very good work on the grass [on Sept. 28].”

Like with Deceptive Vision and the Breeders’ Cup, Pierce didn’t rule out the Canadian International for Up With the Birds if the weather in New York doesn’t cooperate.

“If it was a washout there, we’re nominated to the International, so we could not put him on a truck and stay home,” he said. “But the plan is the Knickerbocker right now.”