Freud offspring stand out in NYSS divisions

Whether one examines past performances or simply relies on sire statistics, progeny of Freud figure prominently in Sunday’s two divisions of the New York Stallion Stakes at Belmont Park.

The leading sire in New York in 2016, 2017, and to this stage in 2018, Freud is represented by Mentality in the seventh race, the Cupecoy’s Joy for 3-year-old fillies, and then by Siggie and Therapist in the ninth, the Spectacular Bid for 3-year-old males. Mentality and Therapist are the morning-line favorites in their respective races, both of which are at seven furlongs on the Widener turf course.

An affinity for grass racing is a characteristic of many offspring of Freud, a full brother to the late Giant’s Causeway, and his stakes runners Sunday at Belmont exhibit this trait. They have combined to win half their 14 grass starts, with Therapist leading the way with a 4-for-6 record that includes three victories in open stakes company.

Winner of the Laurel Futurity and Awad last year at 2, he also won the Cutler Bay at Gulfstream on March 31 before a flat finish when sixth of seven in the Grade 2 Penn Mile on June 2. Returning following a layoff and racing closer early than he typically does in a slow-paced race, he faded to finish 6 3/4 lengths behind Hawkish, a leading contender for the Grade 1 Belmont Derby on July 7.

Whether it was a lack of pace in the Penn Mile that beat him, or the demanding company, he does not face such circumstances Sunday as there are numerous speed horses in the 13-horse statebred field.

Belmont’s leading jockey, Irad Ortiz Jr., rides Therapist for trainer Christophe Clement and owner Oak Bluff Stables. Therapist drew the far outside post.

Five Star Bunt and Siggie, last-out runner-up finishers in first-level allowances, and Collective Effort, a 3 1/4-length maiden winner May 26, head the opposition.

The filly division drew a more accomplished field top to bottom, although only about a third of the entrants are established turf performers. One of those is the Freud-sired Mentality, winner of a New York-bred allowance race May 26 over the seven-furlong trip at Belmont.

A start before, she had been a close fourth against open stakes rivals in the six-furlong Mizdirection when kicking off her 2018 campaign April 15 at Aqueduct.

A winner of 2 of 6 races, all on turf, she has been competitive in all four of her sprint races.

Luis Saez, aboard for Mentality’s local win, is back in the irons for trainer Wesley Ward and owner Lindy Farms.

Her chief rival is Goodbye Brockley, who showed improvement when equipped with blinkers May 28, winning a 1 1/16-mile allowance on the grass at Belmont. She also sprinted effectively last year.