Disco Partner faces tough task in Jaipur three-peat bid

ELMONT, N.Y. – Disco Partner could run into a world of trouble while attempting to win his third straight running of the $400,000 Jaipur Invitational on Saturday at Belmont Park.

World of Trouble will try to become a Grade 1 winner on two surfaces in the six-furlong Jaipur, a Grade 1 for the first time this year. In April, he won the Grade 1 Carter on dirt at Aqueduct. He came back May 3 to take the Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Jason Servis believes World of Trouble, a son of Kantharos, is better on turf, where he has won three of four starts.

“I don’t think he’s ever hooked firm turf,” said Servis, noting that the Churchill Downs course was mislabeled firm on May 3. “There were days when it was up to his knees, and he just excelled over it.”

World of Trouble has won 8 of 12 starts and 6 of his last 7 dating to last August. His one loss during that span actually may have been his best race, as he lost by a neck to Stormy Liberal in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint last November at Churchill. The pair finished 7 1/4 lengths clear of Disco Partner.

Disco Partner set a Belmont course record for six furlongs of 1:05.67 in winning this race in 2017, when it was a Grade 3. Last year, he won the Grade 2 Jaipur in 1:06.74. Now 7, Disco Partner enters the race off a ninth-place finish in the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland.

“Maybe he needed the race,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “First race back, I’m not sure the ground was exactly the ground that he likes. Small horse, it was very crowded. He was inside of an enormous amount of horses.”

Peter Miller sends out the uncoupled entry of Belvoir Bay and Om. Belvoir Bay, a mare taking on males, has speed, but Miller said he doesn’t want Flavien Prat to get her into a speed duel with World of Trouble.

“He’s got more speed than we do. We don’t want to go head-and-head,” Miller said.

Om is cutting back in distance and figures to come from off the pace under Joel Rosario.

Nine were entered for the Jaipur, but Gidu was expected to run in an allowance race Friday.

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KEY CONTENDERS

World of Trouble, by Kantharos
Last 3 Beyers: 105-100-107

◗ If he avoids a speed duel with Belvoir Bay, he figures too tough to beat. Overcame a slight bobble to win the Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill last out quite handily. Drawn nicely toward the outside here.

Disco Partner, by Disco Rico
Last 3 Beyers: 87-95-94

◗ Is 9 for 14 on turf at Belmont and owns the course record. Though he comes from off the pace, Clement noted, “Since last year, he breaks very, very well … which is great because it gives you a little more luxury to get a position.”

Belvoir Bay, by Equiano
Last 3 Beyers: 89-NA-100

◗ Nine-time stakes winner ran a terrific race in the Al Quoz Sprint, finishing second to Blue Point while beating stablemate Stormy Liberal. Has speed to pressure World of Trouble if her connections opt to use it.