Loki's Vengeance will defend title in Affirmed Success

Three listed stakes, each worth $100,000, will usher in opening weekend of the 54-day Belmont Park spring/summer meeting that opens Friday. The opening-day feature is the $100,000 Affirmed Success, a six-furlong race for New York-breds, despite the fact that Affirmed Success is a Kentucky-bred.

Loki’s Vengeance, who won the Affirmed Success last year, is expected to run, as are Between the Lines, Bond Vigilante, Drama King, Escape to the Moon, Eye Luv Lulu, Little Popsie, Weekend Hideaway, and possibly Ostrolenka.

The New York-bred stakes winners Kharafa and King Kreesa are among the horses stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes has listed as likely for the $100,000 Elusive Quality Stakes going seven furlongs on turf next Saturday. Others expected include A Lot, now in the barn of Chad Brown; Bye Bye Bernie, Green Mask, Mister Brightside, Night Officer, Sandy’z Slew, and Spartiatis. Commute, Mosler, Ready for Rye, and The Great War are possible.

Opening weekend concludes with the $100,000 License Fee, a turf sprint for fillies and mares. Quaver, Shrinking Violet, and Zindaya are definite. Lady Shipman is possible, as is Vicki’s Dancer and either Disco Barbie or Monster Sleeping from the barn of Dale Capuano.

◗ Joel Rosario, sidelined due to a broken wrist sustained in a spill at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 20, is expected to make his return to the saddle Friday at Belmont Park. Rosario worked two horses for Wesley Ward at Palm Meadows on Friday, according to agent Ron Anderson. Rosario had ridden 35 winners – including six stakes – from 197 mounts at the Gulfstream winter meet before the injury. He will ride Shagaf for trainer Brown in the Kentucky Derby.