Disco Partner back where he excels in Turf Sprint Invitational

ELMONT, N.Y. – Back on his preferred course and probably his best distance, Disco Partner looks to get back to the winner’s circle when he heads a field of five in Saturday’s $150,000 Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational going six furlongs over the inner turf course.

The last time Disco Partner ran six furlongs at Belmont it was on the outer turf course where he set a North American record of 1:05.67 for six furlongs in the Grade 3 Jaipur on Belmont Stakes Day. From there, he successfully stretched out to a mile in the Forbidden Apple, his sixth win from 10 starts at Belmont.

Trainer Christophe Clement stretched him out around two turns in the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga, where he finished fourth, beaten 8 3/4 lengths by World Approval. Clement felt it was the yielding turf course – it rained heavily in the middle of the card – that compromised his horse more than the two-turn configuration of the race.

“After an eighth of a mile you could tell he hated the soft turf,” Clement said. “I think firm is good for him.”

Very little rain has fallen at this meet, and the turf course should be firm Saturday. Disco Partner likely will have to run down a potential loose-on-the-lead runner in Bold Thunder, though that horse has done his best work at five furlongs.

The horse to fear is We Deer You, who comes in off a solid victory in the Lucky Coin Stakes on Sept. 1 at Saratoga. We Deer You rallied from last in the Lucky Coin and won by 1 3/4 lengths, earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 99.

“It did take him a little while for him to learn how to do it,” trainer Michael Trombetta said. “He broke his maiden early on, then went off the tracks a little, but he’s rounded nicely back into form.”

Asked about taking on a horse like Disco Partner, Trombetta said, “You can only avoid them for so long. It comes a time to take them on. He’s a special horse for sure, we’ll give it our best shot.”

Snowday and Ready for Rye complete the field.

The Belmont Turf Sprint will go as race 3 on the 11-race program.