Devamani coming into allowance the right way

ELMONT, N.Y. – Distance will be the question seven colts or geldings will have to answer on turf Thursday in a second-level allowance race at 1 1/4 miles that serves as the feature on a nine-race program at Belmont Park.

The seven horses entered to run on turf are a combined 0 for 11 at 1 1/4 miles. The French-bred Devamani, the likely favorite coming off a first-level allowance win going 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream on March 21, was third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths in a first-level allowance going 1 1/4 miles here last May.

Trainer Christophe Clement believes Devamani will stay the distance Thursday under Irad Ortiz Jr. Ortiz got Devamani to relax in his last race, Clement said.

“Irad rode him very well at Gulfstream,” Clement said. “He will stay.”

Devamani’s last start came off a nine-month layoff owing to soundness issues. Clement liked the way he ran at Gulfstream and, more importantly, how he’s come out of the race.

“I don’t know if he’s good enough to win a two-other-than going long at Belmont, but he’s trained well, looks good,” Clement said. “I think it’s worth giving him a chance.”

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Clement also entered Sarrasin, a 7-year-old Great Britain-bred who has not won a race in four years. He has raced only nine times over that span, twice for Clement. Clement thought he ran well finishing fourth in an optional claimer at Tampa in March, but not in his sixth-place finish under Joel Rosario going 1 1/2 miles at Keeneland in April.

“Joel was very aggressive at Keeneland if you look at the fractions,” Clement said. “I’d like to give him one more try to make sure I’m not making a mistake and get more conservative with him.”

The Green Mo’ster is only 2 for 16 but he is coming off an allowance win at Gulfstream on April 25 and has had troubled trips, including in a Dec. 30 race going 1 3/16 miles where he was beaten only two lengths.

Lemonist might be in the best form in the field, with two wins, four seconds, and a third in his last seven starts, but none of those races was farther than 1 1/16 miles.

“He’s turned into an honest, consistent horse,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We’ll give him a try [long].”

Four horses were entered to run only if the race is transferred to the main track. The forecast for Thursday calls for dry conditions.

First post Thursday is 3:05 p.m.

KEY CONTENDERS

Devamani, by Dubawi
Last 3 Beyers: 85-83-85

◗ Broke slowly, rallied four wide, and closed well to beat Bern’ James Bern on March 21.

◗ Bern’ James Bern came back to run second to The Green Mo’ster, who is also in this field.

◗ The third-place finisher from the March 21 race came back to win an off-the-turf race at Keeneland.

The Green Mo’ster, by Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 87-81-87

◗ Ended a nine-race losing streak with a good late run to win a nine-furlong allowance on April 25 at Gulfstream.

◗ Luis Saez is up for trainer Marcus Vitali.