Espinoza adds to Stableford's appeal in turf feature

ELMONT, N.Y. – Stableford figures to attract plenty of attention in Sunday’s $77,000 allowance feature at Belmont Park by virtue of his impressive U.S. debut here last month. Add California Chrome’s jockey, Victor Espinoza, to the mix, and Stableford may go postward as the favorite in a wide-open first-level allowance at a mile on turf.

Stableford finished second to the well-regarded Mr. Jenney when making his North American bow under similar allowance conditions at 1 1/16 miles on May 10. With Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, Stableford rallied wide from just off the pace to reach close contention near the eighth pole before proving no match for the winner. The outing was the first for the 4-year-old Stableford since a fourth-place finish at Newmarket, England, nearly nine months earlier.

“I was very happy with his race,” said trainer Robert Ribaudo. “I think we got beat by a really nice horse. We bought him in Europe last summer and I had him here right off the plane but he just didn’t seem interested, so we gave him the winter off.

“He’s a laid-back horse for a colt who doesn’t really tell you how he’s doing. I expect him to move forward off that effort and this race should tell us where we’re at.”

Ortiz opted to ride Majestic Jess for trainer Rudy Rodriguez in Sunday’s main event. So Ribaudo reached out for Espinoza, who flew into town to work California Chrome on Saturday and will remain in New York the remainder of the week leading up to the Belmont Stakes.

“It was kind of last second that we got Victor,” Ribaudo said. “Irad was supposed to ride him and at the last minute, Rudy put one in the race and his agent asked if it was okay if they rode him instead. Victor was available, so it turned out to be a good opportunity for us.”

Majestic Jess has won his last two races but has not started since Dec. 5.

Harpoon and Deep Speed are the two biggest question marks in the race.

Harpoon was on the Kentucky Derby trail following a second- place finish in the Grade 3 Sam Davis at Tampa Bay Downs but disappointed in his next two starts, finishing fifth in the Gotham and a distant ninth behind winner Wicked Strong in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial. Harpoon has breezed twice over the local turf course in preparation for his grass debut on Sunday.

“I thought he worked well on [turf] and I think he’s more talented than we’ve seen in some of his races,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He’s a little shy with dirt in his face. Hopefully grass will be a good option for him.”

Deep Speed began his career in Ireland, winning twice in seven starts before being purchased privately and joining trainer Rick Mettee’s barn at Fair Hill earlier this year. A proven miler, Deep Speed will race on Lasix for the first time.

McIlroy has won his last three starts but will get tested for class stepping out of the claiming ranks for the first time.