Cashmere Cat, Shatak cut back for rematch in Thursday feature
Cashmere Cat and Shatak, who finished a length apart at a mile on Travers Day, shorten up to seven furlongs for their rematch in a preliminary allowance Thursday at Belmont Park.
The $77,000 race is scheduled for the Widener turf but could be affected by a forecast calling for a high probability of thunderstorms. It is race 6, and thus the third leg of a pick six with a two-day carryover of $98,669.
Cashmere Cat and Shatak dueled for the early lead in their initial confrontation, when both were run down by the favored McIlroy on Aug. 23 at Saratoga.
Following their initial clash, Cashmere Cat returned at Belmont three weeks later for Dale Romans and was beaten 1 3/4 lengths as the favorite after breaking from the difficult outside post at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Cashmere Cat. Trainer Dale Romans is 5-3-1-0 with a $6.72 ROI over the past two years going route to sprint on Belmont turf. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Shatak, who was coming back from almost seven months on the sidelines when close behind Cashmere Cat on Aug. 23, has subsequently had four workouts for Saratoga-based trainer George Weaver.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 8 Shatak. Trainer George Weaver is 28-0-5-3 over the past three years going route to sprint on turf. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Also training at Saratoga is My Name Is Michael, a Bill Mott-trained colt idle since two starts at Gulfstream Park in February.
Glowing Ember and Knockher Off, versatile New York-bred geldings who have posted competitive Beyer Speed Figures while winning on turf and dirt, come off sharp efforts.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Glowing Ember. Trainer Gary Contessa is 18-2-3-0 with a $1.20 ROI over the past two years going route to sprint on Belmont turf. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Santa Elf and Spartiatis have shown the ability to handle turf or dirt as well.
Celebrated Talent and Street Gent entered for the main track only.
KEY CONTENDERS
Cashmere Cat (Last 3 Beyers: 81-87-79)
◗ He won his first two starts on the Widener course and was marooned on the far outside for his next two local outings.
◗ He has won on the lead and as a deep closer.
◗ His top Beyer came on good turf.
Shatak (Last 3 Beyers: 85-83-80)
◗ The lightly raced 4-year-old has improved his Beyers each time.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: The George Weaver–Joe Bravo combination is 2 for 6 with a $3.28 return on investment at Belmont over the past two years.
◗ This will be his first one-turn race.
Glowing Ember (Last 3 Beyers: 81-79-65)
◗ He has won 2 of 3 starts on the Widener turf for Gary Contessa.
◗ The likely pacesetter has led early in each of his last six starts.
Knockher Off (Last 3 Beyers: 75-87-80)
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Jimmy Jerkens, who picked up his first meet win with Classic Point in Monday’s Punkin Pie Stakes, is 3 for 7 with horses the second time back from long layoffs in 2013-14.
◗ He is the only entrant to have won a seven-furlong grass race.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Knockher Off. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens is 11-0-0-0 over the past three years going dirt to turf in sprints at Belmont. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan