Kurilov runs into some rough customers in allowance

ELMONT, N.Y. – After faltering in graded stakes company three weeks ago, the Chad Brown-trained pair of Kurilov and Silverwave will look to get back on course when they head a field of seven entered in a third-level allowance at 1 1/4 miles Friday at Belmont Park.

Kurilov finished eighth of nine in the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby Day undercard. The race was run over yielding turf, which Kurilov simply did not handle, according to Brown. Prior to the Old Forester, Kurilov finished second, beaten a neck by Heart to Heart, in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf, run over firm turf.

“Looking to get Kurilov back on firm ground – a little confidence builder – but it came up really tough,” Brown said. “It’s no easy spot. Based on what’s available out there I think it’s best to try him in a race like this.”

Brown said a good performance Friday could earn Kurilov a spot in the Grade 1 United Nations on June 30 at Monmouth Park.

About a half-hour after Kurilov finished eighth at Churchill, Silverwave finished fifth in the Grade 3 Fort Marcy at Belmont, his first start in seven months.

“He was a couple of works short, and I just wanted to get a race into him,” Brown said. “He ran like a short horse. It’s back a little quick, but now that he has a race under his belt I expect him to move forward.”

The field includes Messi, a Grade 2 stakes winner who will be making his 8-year-old debut; Profiteer, who was beaten a head in a similar spot at Keeneland going a mile; Memories of Peter; Highland Sky; and Watershed.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Kurilov, by Lookin At Lucky

Last 3 Beyers: 83-101-96

◗ In his only time on firm turf in the United States, he was beaten a neck by Heart to Heart while finishing three-quarters of a length in front of Hi Happy in the Gulfstream Park Turf. Both of those horses have since come back to win Grade 1 stakes.

Silverwave, by Silver Frost

Last 3 Beyers: 98-NA-NA

◗ During a two-month stretch last summer in France, he finished second and third in Group 1 company and won a Group 2, defeating Talismanic, who won last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Memories of Peter, by Disco Rico

Last 3 Beyers: 92-96-98

◗ He is a hard-trying New York-bred who was beaten a length in last year’s Red Smith at odds of 50-1.

◗ Can get brave when able to control the pace, something he may be able to do in this spot.

Messi, by New Approach

Last 3 Beyers: 94-84-96

◗ In 2015, he won a 1 1/4-mile allowance here off an eight-month layoff and later that year won the Grade 3 Knickerbocker, also at Belmont.

“I’ve been really happy with his last couple of works,” said trainer Graham Motion, who worked Messi seven furlongs twice in one week. “It took him a little longer to come around.”