Litfin's preview: Rain on tap for Saturday card

Triple carryover

No one has hit the pick six yet this week at Belmont, and Loon River ($16.20) iced the third straight carryover by winning the Friday nightcap for Gary Sciacca.

As a result, there is a three-day carryover of $138,241, beginning with race 5 at 2:54 p.m. Eastern.

Rain, rain go away

After a washout last week, it could be another sloppy Saturday at Belmont. The National Weather Service forecast an 80 percent chance for steady rain overnight and into the morning, with showers possibly continuing through the afternoon.

With six races scheduled for the grass – including five legs of the pick six and all legs of a late pick four that includes the $200,000 Knickerbocker Stakes – handicappers will need to adjust their outlooks in accordance with prevailing conditions.

Za Approval tries to get back to BC Mile

Za Approval punched his ticket to the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Mile by running down Plainview and may have to overtake that same rival a year later if he is to get back to Santa Anita.

“We used [the Knickerbocker] as a way to the Breeders’ Cup last year, and we’ll try to do the same,” said trainer Christophe Clement, who would prefer firm turf for the gray gelding.

Clement also entered Speaking of Which, who has not run since winning the Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes with a sparkling 107 Beyer Speed Figure on June 8.

“He came back, and he was a bit sore after that race, so he had the summer off,” explained Clement.

Up With the Birds, who captured the Grade 1 Jamaica over Belmont’s inner turf last October for Woodbine-based trainer Malcolm Pierce, returns for his first start since a fourth in the Arlington Million. Although that was eight weeks ago, the Sam-Son Farm homebred has won fresh repeatedly, including the Jamaica and the Grade 2 Nijinsky Stakes off a two-month break earlier this season.

“We picked the Knickerbocker because of the timing and the distance,” noted Pierce.

Legendary, who has rattled off three consecutive 99 Beyers on firm and yielding ground for Niall Saville, looms a solid threat at a potentially square price.

Queens are wild!

Queens are wild across North America on Saturday.

At Belmont, Queen’s Prize, who is owned and bred by none other than Her Majesty the Queen, makes her U.S. debut for Clement in race 5.

Those so inclined can hook up Queen’s Prize in a pick three with Queen’s Parade, who will be among the favorites in race 7.

Of course, the feature at Keeneland is the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, in which 3-year-old fillies Crown Queen and Sea Queen figure prominently.

And up at Woodbine, they run the Victorian Queen, a $125,000 stakes for 2-year-old fillies.

If that’s not enough action, there’s Queen’s Ready in a maiden turf dash at Gulfstream Park West.

Horse to watch

BROKEN BORDER
Trainer: Jason Servis
Last race: Oct. 9, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 2 3/4
Beyer: 61

This first-time starter broke from post 11, lagged well behind an odds-on winner who was loose on an easy lead, and found her best stride to get up for second in a promising effort.