'Grocer' starts back in Calloway

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Galloping Grocer, an impressive maiden winner at Saratoga last year, returns to the races in Wednesday's $250,000 Cab Calloway Stakes.

, who hasn't run since finishing 13th in the Preakness, is the likely favorite among seven 3-year-olds entered in the Cab Calloway, a race restricted to the progeny of New York stallions.

A son of A. P Jet, Galloping Grocer underwent surgery to fix a displaced soft palate following the Preakness on May 21, when he lost for the fifth time in five starts this year. After winning his first three races against New York-breds as a 2-year-old and finishing second in the Grade 2 Remsen, Galloping Grocer seemed destined to be a top 3-year-old. Things didn't pan out, however, and Galloping Grocer lost the Whirlaway, Gotham, Wood Memorial, and a division of the New York Stallion Stakes before his 36-length loss in the Preakness.

Trainer Dominick Schettino said Galloping Grocer has been training well since the throat surgery, and he believes the 1 1/8-mile Cab Calloway is a good spot for Galloping Grocer's return.

"This race came up not really too strong, so it's a nice place to start him back," Schettino said. "He likes it up here and has been training well."

John Velazquez, aboard for each of Galloping Grocer's races as a 2-year-old, will ride Galloping Grocer from post 3.

Schettino will also saddle , who is coming off two losses as the favorite. The Schettino horses are not coupled in the wagering.

Gold and Roses, the runner-up in the New York Derby on July 16, seeks his first win around two turns.

"Hopefully, his race in the New York Derby will set him up well for this," said trainer Tom Bush.

is the only horse in the field with a win at 1 1/8 miles. That victory came in the mud at Belmont Park. In his last start, Twooutsintheninth bobbled at the start of the New York Derby and later was eased during the race. Since then, he has one half-mile work, recorded at Saratoga on Saturday.

Trainer Dominic Galluscio sends out the coupled entry of Meniscus and Organizer.

Meniscus is coming off a poor effort in the New York Derby. Organizer suffered a loss as the odds-on favorite in his last start.

Breeze On completes the field.