Normandy Invasion's feet fine for Met Mile

ELMONT, N.Y. – Normandy Invasion is not included among the 11 graded stakes winners entered in a loaded renewal of the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap on Saturday at Belmont Park. That could change by Saturday night.

Favored against Palace Malice when second to that rival in the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap 70 days ago, Normandy Invasion figures to offer more value this time when he meets Palace Malice and 12 others in the 121st Met Mile. This year’s Met Mile, moved from its traditional Memorial Day spot on the calendar, has a purse of $1.25 million and is a Win and You’re In race for this fall’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita.[bc_video_id:326445:]

Both of Normandy Invasion’s victories have come in one-turn, one-mile races – such as the Met Mile – albeit against maiden and allowance company. Still, Normandy Invasion has held his own against top-shelf competition, running fourth in the 2013 Kentucky Derby and second in the Wood Memorial at 1 1/8 miles, the same distance as the New Orleans Handicap.

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Normandy Invasion, a son of Tapit owned by Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farm, scratched from the Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill Downs on May 2 when found to have quarter cracks on both front hooves. Noted farrier Ian McKinlay worked on those feet, and Normandy Invasion has a series of solid works, first at Belmont and then at Saratoga, preceding this race.

“He’s had bumps in the road along the way, but we have put him back together, and he’s doing great,” said Chad Brown, the trainer of Normandy Invasion. “He’s had a nice string of breezes, his feet are ice cold, he’s really doing well. I know it’s going to be a tough race. I think a cutback off a layoff like this will be perfect.”

Normandy Invasion will break from post 9 under Javier Castellano and, at 116 pounds, will get eight pounds from Palace Malice.

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Last year, Palace Malice won the Belmont Stakes at odds of 13-1. He has won four of seven starts since, including all three this year. He won the Gulfstream Park Handicap and the Westchester – both one-turn races going a mile. His chore for Saturday was made more difficult when he drew the rail, a sometimes-treacherous post in one-turn, one-mile races. He also has to carry the top weight of 124 pounds.

“I think going a one-turn mile, you never want to draw the rail,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, who also will send out longshot Capo Bastone. “Add on top of it you’re carrying top weight, it’s just another part of an already-difficult task that makes it a little more difficult.”

John Velazquez, 2 for 2 on Palace Malice, rides.

The top four finishers from the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Stakes – Central Banker, Shakin It Up, Clearly Now, and Broadway Empire – are in the Met Mile. Central Banker and Shakin It Up will be attempting a mile for the first time, but it wouldn’t figure to be a problem for either, based on their off-the-pace style.

Central Banker fared better at the draw, being assigned post 6, while Shakin It Up – for the third consecutive race – is parked in the outside post.

“I’d be surprised if he goes seven-eighths and couldn’t do a one-turn mile,” said Al Stall, the trainer of Central Banker. “He just hasn’t had an opportunity to run that kind of race. I like his chances.”

Bob Baffert, the trainer of Shakin It Up, said his horse would benefit greatly from a hot early pace.

“He’s got that one really strong late run,” Baffert said.

Declan’s Warrior, last year’s Grade 3 Bay Shore winner, is another whose chances would increase with a hot early pace. Declan’s Warrior, trained by Nick Zito, has never been worse than second in four starts at Belmont. He finished 9 3/4 lengths back when second to Palace Malice in the Westchester.

“We were thrilled to get him back in the mix,” Zito said. “He really likes Belmont. Hopefully, he’s a live longshot.”

The speed in the race figures to be supplied by Goldencents, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner; Moreno, who is 2 for 2 at Belmont and 0 for 15 elsewhere; and potentially Broadway Empire.

Clearly Now earned a career-best 109 Beyer Speed Figure when he won the Grade 3 Bold Ruler going seven furlongs here last fall. Romansh turns back to a one-turn mile after winning the Grade 3 Excelsior. Vyjack, last year’s Grade 3 Gotham winner, won an allowance race off a nine-month layoff. Scarly Charly, a maiden winner last out, makes his first start for trainer Mike Hushion and Wachtel Stable after a private purchase.