Gift Box returns in stakes-quality allowance

ELMONT, N.Y. – A stakes-caliber first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds featuring Gift Box, Gettysburg, and American Pioneer headlines Thursday’s nine-race program at Belmont Park, which includes a pick-six carryover of $72,651.

Gift Box, trained by Chad Brown, has not run since finishing third behind Mohaymen in the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct last Nov. 28. Brown felt the horse did not do well training in south Florida during the winter, and while tests did not reveal anything wrong with the horse, Brown backed off Gift Box’s training.

“We sent him to New York to try to put him back at Belmont, where he was last doing well,” Brown said Monday. “From that point forward, he really started to get back on track again. I feel he’s ready to get back to the races. I’ve been very happy with his last handful of breezes.”

Last October, Gift Box won an off-the-turf maiden race at Belmont by a nose over Matt King Coal. It was 18 lengths back to the rest of the field.

Javier Castellano rides Gift Box from post 9 in the 10-horse field going 1 1/16 miles.

Trainer Todd Pletcher scratched Gettysburg from last Saturday’s Sir Barton Stakes after he drew post 14 in a 14-horse field. That followed outside posts in the 11-horse Sunland Festival of Racing Stakes and the 12-horse Arkansas Derby. Gettysburg finished fifth in the Arkansas Derby.

Gettysburg drew post 4 in this spot.

“He’s a horse that is starting to realize his potential,” Pletcher said. “He’s been improving with his last few races and breezes. In the Arkansas Derby, he ran a pretty credible race. Hopefully, he’s going to continue to improve.”

John Velazquez rides Gettysburg.

KEY CONTENDERS

Gift Box, by Twirling Candy

Last 3 Beyers: 90-93-66

◗ Looked to be a Kentucky Derby candidate following his 2-year-old season but “couldn’t get in a good rhythm” at Palm Meadows in Florida, according to Brown.

◗ After going two months without a workout, Gift Box shows nine breezes leading up to this return. He had been entered a couple of times for the main track only in turf races that remained on the turf.

Gettysburg, by Pioneerof the Nile

Last 3 Beyers: 87-90-84

◗ Drops into allowance company after three consecutive stakes tries.

◗ Set the pace and led into midstretch in the Arkansas Derby before finishing 5 1/4 lengths behind the winner, Creator.

◗ In the Sunland Festival of Racing Stakes, Gettysburg finished second in between next-out stakes winners Collected and Concord Fast.

American Pioneer, by Awesome Again

Last 3 Beyers: 78-88-72

◗ Chased the pace and faded to ninth in the Arkansas Derby in his first start after winning an Oaklawn Park maiden race.

◗ In his career debut, he finished second to next-out winner Dazzling Gem.