Hardest Core returns from injury in allowance
ELMONT, N.Y. – Twenty-two months after he won the Grade 1 Arlington Million and 13 months since he last competed, Hardest Core returns to the races Friday in a stakes-quality allowance race at Belmont Park.
Sidelined by a tendon tear diagnosed after a workout last June, Hardest Core is back to see if he can regain some of his graded-stakes-winning form.
“It’s his first race back in a year. We thought we’d run in a money allowance instead of a stakes race for his sake and see where we’re at,” said Edward Graham, the trainer of Hardest Core.
Graham got six workouts into Hardest Core for his return, the last two coming over the turf course at trainer Michael Dickinson’s Tapeta Farm in North East, Md.
“Michael was kind enough to let us his facility,” Graham said. “I’m very happy with everything.”
Though Hardest Core has done his best work at 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 miles, he is 2 for 3 at Friday’s distance of 1 1/16 miles.
Friday’s race, which has four different conditions, drew a full field of 12 for turf and two main-track-only entrants.
Long On Value has run in 19 consecutive stakes races since winning his debut three years ago at Delaware Park. He scratched out of the Dixie Stakes at Pimlico due to soft course conditions.
Enterprising and Slim Shadey finished heads apart when first and second in a similar race at a mile May 5. Under Control, Jay Gatsby, and Blacktype are other contenders in the field.
KEY CONTENDERS
Jay Gatsby, by Giant’s Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 93-94-92
◗ After two good efforts in allowance company, he finished fifth in the Grade 2 Pan American over a wet turf course.
“I thought he tried hard. The rain made it a little too soft, and he just didn’t punch the last part of it,” trainer Jimmy Jerkens said.
Javier Castellano has the call.
Long On Value, by Value Plus
Last 3 Beyers: 88-99-95
◗ Came back off an eight-month layoff to run a good second behind Heart to Heart in the Grade 3 Canadian Turf at Gulfstream.
He finished fifth in the Appleton last out on a “good” turf course and clearly prefers firm ground.
Enterprising, by Elusive Quality
Last 3 Beyers: 91-90-79
Showed good late foot and outfinished Slim Shadey to win similar race as this on May 5.
Under Control, by Northern Afleet
Last 3 Beyers: 93-91-91
◗ Finished fourth, beaten just a half-length, in very slow-paced one-mile allowance race at Keeneland last out.
◗ Prefers to come from off the pace, and there should be ample speed in this field.
Hardest Core, by Hard Spun
Last 3 Beyers: 90-97-103
◗ The 2014 Arlington Million winner makes first start since finishing last in the Grade 1 Man o’ War in May 2015 at Belmont. He did win two races over this course when in the barn of trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.