Master Fencer staying put for Belmont Derby

ELMONT, N.Y. – Master Fencer, who finished fifth in the Belmont Stakes, was scheduled to leave New York on Thursday to return to Japan.

But on Wednesday, his connections had a change of heart, and Master Fencer has remained in New York to point to the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Derby, a 1 1/4-mile turf race here July 6.

According to Mitsuoki Numamoto, part of the team that has been with Master Fencer in New York, owner Katsumi Yoshizawa wanted to run in the Belmont Derby.

Master Fencer made his first two career starts on turf, finishing second and fourth.

“Me, personally, they weren’t bad races,” Numamoto said.

In the Kentucky Derby, Master Fencer finished seventh, elevated to sixth with the disqualification of Maximum Security, after being last at the top of the stretch. In the Belmont, Master Fencer was again last at the top of the lane and rallied to finish fifth, beaten 2 3/4 lengths.

“We’re so satisfied and so proud of him,” Numamoto said.

Master Fencer on Thursday walked under tack for the second straight morning. Numamoto said Master Fencer would most likely get at least one workout on the Belmont turf before the Belmont Derby.

The New York Racing Association announced that Jodie, a Japanese-bred and -raced filly, will compete in the Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Oaks.

Jodie is 1 for 7 in her career. She finished 14th in the Grade 1 Japanese Oaks in her most recent start.