Samraat gets second chance at 1 1/2 miles in Brooklyn

ELMONT, N.Y. – There are no do-overs when it comes to the Triple Crown races since only 3-year-olds are eligible, but trainer Rick Violette Jr. is hoping to get a consolation prize of sorts on Saturday at Belmont Park with Samraat – one that has been two years in the waiting.

Samraat ran in the 2014 Belmont Stakes, finishing sixth after a tough trip. He could have been right there with better luck. He’s had little luck since then, with injuries curtailing his career to a mere three starts over the past 24 months. But he finally gets a chance to return to 1 1/2 miles in the Grade 2, $400,000 Brooklyn Invitational while making his third start off a layoff, and he’s coming off a sharp prep in the one-mile Westchester.

“He lost to a loose-on-the-lead speed, and the pace wasn’t all that fast,” Violette said “He should improve off it.”

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Samraat was one of the better prospects of the 3-year-old class of 2014, which was topped by Triple Crown race winners California Chrome and Tonalist. He won his first five starts before finishing second in the Wood Memorial and fifth in the Kentucky Derby prior to the Belmont.

“He ran well with a tough trip,” Violette said of Samraat’s Belmont. “He made a big run and only got beat four lengths. I know he can go a mile and a half.”

That could prove pivotal, as seven of the 10 runners have never tried this distance, including the likely favorite, Kid Cruz. The Brooklyn goes as race 4 on the 13-race card.

KEY CONTENDERS

Samraat, by Noble Causeway

Last 3 Beyers: 94-81-80

◗ Violette took advantage of Mike Smith being in town for the Belmont Stakes later on the card by tabbing him to ride.

Kid Cruz, by Lemon Drop Kid

Last 3 Beyers: 103-102-90

◗ He’s racing in career-best form, with victories in his last two starts while earning the highest Beyer Speed Figures of his career.

◗ He comes off a win in the Excelsior, soundly defeating Turco Bravo, who subsequently beat both Neck ’n Neck and Catholic Cowboy in the Flat Out.

◗ Although he has yet to race this far, he did win last time going 1 1/4 miles, and his sire was a Belmont winner in 1999.

Turco Bravo, by Caesarion

Last 3 Beyers: 94-93-98

◗ He has won twice in his last three starts, with his lone loss coming when he was unable to handle Kid Cruz in the Excelsior.

◗ His form has improved since blinkers were removed four starts back. He has two wins and two seconds in that time.

Catholic Cowboy, by Heatseeker

Last 3 Beyers: 90-90-89

◗ He also has won twice in his last three starts, though both victories were against inferior company before he was fourth in the Flat Out behind Turco Bravo.

“He broke on top, was taken back, and came flying,” said trainer Nick Zito. “I think he can go a mile and a half.”

◗ Zito has a strong record in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont, with two wins and seven seconds, so getting a horse ready for a race at this distance is in his wheelhouse.