Californians extend their stay in New York

ELMONT, N.Y. – Regardless of how Goldencents fares in Saturday’s Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park, his connections won’t be in a rush to get back to California.

On Sunday, owner Glenn Sorgenstein and trainer Doug O’Neill will be represented in two allowance races on Belmont Park’s nine-race card.

In the sixth, they send out the 3-year-old colt Sammy Mandeville in a $77,000, one-mile allowance on turf. In the seventh, they send out the 3-year-old filly Suzy Malibu in a $77,000 first-level allowance going six furlongs on dirt.

Sammy Mandeville, a son of Rock Hard Ten, finished fourth in his debut going 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita before winning a maiden race going 1 1/8 miles on May 4.

“We sprinted him down the hill first time out, then we stretched him out to a mile and an eighth, but the mile might be a better distance for him,” said Jack Sisterson, an assistant to O’Neill who traveled here with these horses. “We’re expecting him to run a big race.”

Among the horses Sammy Mandeville must contend with are Tourist, a maiden winner on turf at Gulfstream in February for Bill Mott, and Dance Champion, a maiden winner on turf in his second start at Gulfstream Park for Christophe Clement.

Suzy Malibu, a daughter of Malibu Moon, was a 5 1/4-length debut winner going 5 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on April 20. She blew out a sharp three furlongs in 36 seconds here Monday.

According to Sisterson, Sorgenstein is looking to make this a family weekend, as he is in town for a graduation as well.