Merryman may ship Jean Valjean back to New York for Belmont Turf Sprint

Trainer Elizabeth Merryman said all remains well for Jean Valjean, who could soon return to New York for his graded stakes debut at Belmont Park. Coming off a resounding victory in the $150,000 Disco Partner at Saratoga, the Pennsylvania-bred gelding is a strong candidate to run in the Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint on three weeks’ rest.

“If he does that, we’ll just ship up for the day,” Merryman said. “I think he’s fine with three weeks or close to it.”

One of many strong turf sprinters currently based in the Mid-Atlantic, Jean Valjean missed his entire 2025 season with a series of setbacks before returning in April. He showed early promise in Maryland but did not break through until August, when he shipped to Penn National and won the $75,000 Marshall Jenney by five lengths.

Merryman said she has had a difficult time finding spots for the gelding, who has limited allowance conditions and state-restricted turf races at his disposal. Shipping to New York was as much a necessity as it was an opportunity. He went straight to the front in the Disco Partner and battled back late to win by a neck, scoring an 8-1 upset over fellow Mid-Atlantic sprinter Determined Kingdom.

After the race, Merryman said she was hesitantly considering the Belmont Turf Sprint on Sept. 27, and without any setbacks at Fair Hill, those plans are growing more certain.

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