Desert Ride brings Howard back to Belmont

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Neil Howard has started just one horse at Belmont Park since 2011. Saturday, he will be represented by Desert Ride in the inaugural $750,000 Jockey Club Oaks Invitational for 3-year-old fillies. The Jockey Club Oaks is the third leg of the Turf Tiara, which began two months ago with the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks and continued with the Saratoga Oaks on Aug. 2. Concrete Rose won those two races but was injured and is out for the year.

Desert Ride, a Canadian-bred daughter of Candy Ride, is coming off a half-length victory in the Wonder Where Stakes at Woodbine on Aug. 10 That race was at 1 1/4 miles on turf.

Howard, who shipped his filly to New York on Monday, said the absence of the Rusty Arnold-trained Concrete Rose and the distance of the Oaks were what convinced him to point to this race.

“We’re well aware it’s still a tough race, but Rusty’s filly is one you want to avoid if you can,” Howard said. “Between that and the distance, we thought we’d go ahead and take a shot.”

Desert Ride is 4 for 6 with one of her losses coming against males in the Queen’s Plate. Howard felt her performance that day may have been compromised by running back three weeks after she won the Woodbine Oaks.

Desert Ride, who will be ridden by John Velazquez, was one of eight entered in the Oaks. The others were Art of Almost, Dyna Passer, Edisa, Lady Prancealot, Love So Deep, Romantic Pursuit, and Wonderment.

Marconi, Rocketry meet again

Marconi and Rocketry will meet for the fourth time this year as they head the field entered Monday for Saturday’s $300,000 Grand Prix American Jockey Club Invitational. The race, formerly known as the Temperence Hill and run at 1 5/8 miles, will be run at 1 1/2 miles.

Marconi finished first and Rocketry second in both the Flat Out and Grade 2 Brooklyn at Belmont Park. Marconi finished second and Rocketry third behind King Zachary in the Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 1.

The Grand Prix also drew Carlino, Highland Sky, Maraud, Real, Roaming Union, and You’re To Blame.