New York-bred contingent strong in Forbidden Apple

ELMONT, N.Y. – The $150,000 Forbidden Apple Stakes is an open-company race, but the one-mile event looks like it could be dominated by New York-breds. Four of the 10 entrants for the turf – and the lone main-track-only horse – are New York-breds, and each is a top contender.

The New York-bred King Kreesa has won this race the last two years and makes his second start for trainer Linda Rice. Disco Partner, a New York-bred son of Disco Rico, is coming off a record-setting performance in winning the Grade 3 Jaipur at six furlongs and stretches out to a mile.

Fellow statebreds Offering Plan and Get Jets are each coming off a victory and have shown an affinity for the Belmont turf.

Though 10 were entered for the turf, Mohyamen and Mr Maybe will scratch provided the Friday allowance race they are entered in stays on the turf.

:: Get PPs, clocker reports, and more for the Saratoga and Del Mar meets

King Kreesa won the 2015 Forbidden Apple from a stalking position. He won last year’s edition gate to wire. He is making his second start of the year after finishing second, one length behind Offering Plan, in the Kingston on Memorial Day.

King Kreesa drew post 10 for the Forbidden Apple, with the other speed horse, Cerise’s Prince, to his outside.

Disco Partner ran six furlongs in 1:05.67 in winning the Jaipur. The time is a North American record for the distance on turf. He now stretches out to a mile for trainer Christophe Clement.

Offering Plan and Get Jets do their best running from off the pace. Get Jets has two allowance wins and a neck loss in three tries on turf. He figures to save all the ground from the rail. Offering Plan rallied from last to win the Kingston in his first race of the year.

Grand Arch, a Grade 1 winner in 2015, makes his 2017 debut and is prepping for the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga on Aug. 12.

The Forbidden Apple goes as race 8 on an 11-race card. It is the first leg of a cross-country pick-four wager that links races 8 and 9 from Belmont with races 6 and 7 from Los Alamitos.

Also on the Belmont card is the $125,000 Rockville Centre Stakes for New York-bred juveniles. With a field of six, the Rockville Centre is carded as race 3.

:: Belmont, Los Al team up for pick four combo

KEY CONTENDERS

Forbidden Apple (Race 8)

King Kreesa, by King Cugat

Last 3 Beyers: 98-86-35

◗ Figures to be first or second early and should move forward in his second start off the layoff.

◗ Rice said he’d prefer firm turf.

Disco Partner, by Disco Rico

Last 3 Beyers: 109-99-99

◗ He is coming off a lifetime-best performance and now runs a mile for the first time.

Get Jets, by Scat Daddy

Last 3 Beyers: 98-100-88

◗ A stakes winner on dirt at 2, he’s found a home on turf with two very strong performances going seven furlongs at this meet. Won going 1 1/16 miles here last fall.

“I hope Get Jets can take that next step,” trainer Tony Dutrow said. “He makes me feel like he’ll be able to.”

◗ John Velazquez rides, replacing Irad Ortiz Jr., who is on Disco Partner.

Offering Plan, by Spring At Last

Last 3 Beyers: 101-99-99

◗ Came off the layoff with a sharp victory in the Kingston Stakes despite having to rally behind a slow pace.

◗ He is a three-time winner at Belmont.

Rockville Centre (Race 3)

What a Catch, by Justin Phillip

Beyer: 55

◗ Lived up to his 7-5 favoritism by dominating six opponents in a five-furlong maiden race June 2.

◗ Easily outworked stablemate Analyze the Odds last week.

Morning Breez

Beyer: 66

◗ Rolled to a 3 1/4-length debut victory here June 23, sitting just off a fast early pace.

Morrison, by The Factor

Beyer: 55

◗ Scored a 17-length debut victory in an off-the-turf race on a sloppy track June 18.