Clement sends potent duo in Knickerbocker
ELMONT, N.Y. – Za Approval’s speed and Speaking of Which’s late kick give trainer Christophe Clement an excellent chance to win his sixth Knickerbocker Stakes when the Grade 3, $200,000 turf race is run for the 55th time Saturday at Belmont Park.
Clement won his first Knickerbocker in 1993 with River Majesty and his fifth last year with Za Approval, who will try to become just the fourth horse to earn a repeat victory in this race.
As usual, Za Approval’s participation is contingent upon the ground being firm. Showers were forecast for Friday into Saturday.
“If it’s firm, he’s running,” Clement said. “The horse is doing very well, training well. He won this race last year on his way to the Breeders’ Cup, and the idea is to do the same.”
Last year, Za Approval won the Knickerbocker by 1 1/4 lengths before finishing second to Wise Dan as an 18-1 shot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Za Approval broke a five-race losing streak when he won the Real Courage Stakes here Sept. 7.
Za Approval will be ridden by Luis Saez from post 3.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 3 Za Approval. Trainer Christophe Clement is 7-0-0-1 over the last five years stretching from sprint to route on turf in graded stakes. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Speaking of Which ran the best race of his career in winning the Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes on June 8, earning a 107 Beyer Speed Figure. He came out of the race sore, precipitating time off.
“I hope he’s fit enough,” Clement said. “I rushed him a little bit to make the race because we don’t have another option for the next 30 days.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Speaking of Which (Last 3 Beyers: 107-93-93)
◗ He ran the race of his life in winning the Monmouth Stakes but hasn’t been out since due to soreness.
◗ He is winless in three starts over Belmont turf, never having finished in the top three.
“I cannot explain to you why,” Clement said when asked about lack of success at Belmont.
◗ He carries the co-high weight of 124 pounds.
Za Approval (Last 3 Beyers: 97-78-94)
◗ He broke a yearlong losing streak when he took the Real Courage Stakes going seven furlongs here.
◗ His only win at 1 1/8 miles came in this race last year.
◗ He has a 3-for-6 record at Belmont.
Legendary (Last 3 Beyers: 99-99-99)
◗ Consistent runner comes off a convincing victory in the Japan Racing Association Stakes at Laurel, his third win from five starts in the United States.
◗ Trainer Niall Saville chose to run him in that 1 1/16-mile race as opposed to the Yankee Affair Stakes here the same day at 1 1/2 miles because he wanted to keep him sharper for this spot.
“This race has been my goal,” Saville said. “He really needed to win one like he did at Laurel. He came back better and confident.”
◗ Legendary is 2 for 2 at Belmont, winning once on firm and once on yielding ground.
Up With the Birds (Last 3 Beyers: 94-100-94)
◗ He returns to Belmont, where last fall he won the Grade 1 Jamaica Handicap.
◗ His only win from four starts this year was in the Grade 2 Nijinsky at Woodbine.
◗ He would benefit from a contested pace between Plainview and Za Approval.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Legendary. Trainer Niall Saville is 15-4-3-1 with a $4.18 ROI over the past five years in turf routes with last-out winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan