Marconi tuned up for Grand Prix

ELMONT, N.Y. – The connections of Marconi will be hoping to see a return of the 4-year-old colt’s spring form when he heads a field of eight entered in Saturday’s $300,000 Grand Prix American Jockey Club Invitational at Belmont Park.

The Grand Prix, run at 1 1/2 miles, takes the place of the Temperence Hill Stakes, which was run at 1 5/8 miles.

In the spring at Belmont, Marconi won the Flat Out Stakes at 1 3/8 miles, then took the Grade 2 Brooklyn at 1 1/2 miles as the last race on the June 8 Belmont Stakes Day card. That day, he got loose on the lead under Jose Lezcano and was able hold off Rocketry and Realm, two of his rivals on Saturday.

Since the Brooklyn, Marconi finished seventh to Preservationist in the Grade 2 Suburban and second behind King Zachary in the Birdstone at 1 3/4 miles. In that race, Pletcher felt that Marconi may have gone too quick early for the distance.

Pletcher dismisses the Suburban performance based on the colt’s poor break.

“Didn’t get away in good order, didn’t get in a good rhythm. It all kind of went wrong at the beginning,” Pletcher said.

Marconi breaks from post 7 under Jose Lezcano.

Pletcher also sends out You’re to Blame, who was beaten a length when fifth in the Brooklyn and then finished sixth in the Alydar at 1 1/8 miles.

“Disappointing performance last time. Seemed to bounce out of it with good energy, been training well. Hopefully, he’ll get into a comfortable gallop,” Pletcher said.

Last year, You’re to Blame won the Grade 2 Goodwood Cup going 1 1/2 miles at Parx.

Rocketry won the Temperence Hill last year – eclipsing Man o’ War’s 90-year-old track record for 1 5/8 miles in the process – and then won the Marathon at Churchill on the Breeders’ Cup undercard.

He is winless in five starts this year and has finished behind Marconi in all five of those races.

Trainer Barclay Tagg entered both Realm and Highland Sky, but said he would most likely just start one. Realm, third in the Brooklyn, beaten a half-length, would most likely run if the track is fast, Tagg said. Highland Sky, who won the off-the-turf John’s Call Stakes at Saratoga in the slop, would likely run if the track is wet.

Maraud, claimed by Carlos Martin for $80,000, is entered back just six days after finishing third in the Grade 3 Red Bank on turf at Monmouth. Maraud, a son of Blame, has made all of his 16 starts on turf.

Roaming Union, recently claimed for $62,500 by Michelle Nevin at Saratoga, was entered in this race when a third-level allowance failed to fill. Carlino, off the board in all three of his starts this year, completes the field.