Storied Lady brings strong form into Belmont sprint
Five of the nine races on Belmont’s Thursday program are for New York-breds, including three allowance events.
The richest of those is race 3, an unrestricted, $75,000 event for fillies and mares at a flat mile out of the chute. Good current form is in short supply, as five of the six entrants finished off the board in their most recent starts. The lone exception is Storied Lady, who was in the best form of her life through four appearances at Aqueduct’s inner-track meet, including a win in the Bay Ridge Stakes despite a wide trip and a third against open company in the Cat Cay Stakes when she last ran 110 days ago.
“We put blinkers on her, and that seemed to move her up,” said John Hertler, who trains the 4-year-old filly for breeder-owner Tri County Stables. “She quieted down and got her act together.”
Also returning from a layoff is Flipcup, who captured the East View at 2 for former trainer George Weaver and won the New York Oaks at 3 for current conditioner Bill Mott. Flipcup, who beat three of Thursday’s opponents when she finished second in the Empire Distaff at Belmont last fall, makes her first start since a tough trip behind Storied Lady in the Bay Ridge on Dec. 31.
Carameaway and Star Grazing, stakes winners at Saratoga last summer, both look to rebound after finishing well back in the Critical Eye Stakes here on May 25.
Macha, sidelined since she was overmatched in the Grade 2 Ruffian, and Unbelieveable Dream, who won the Grade 3 Appalachian on turf in 2013, round out the field.
KEY CONTENDERS, Race 3
Storied Lady (Last 3 Beyers: 71-74-76)
While all four of her wins have come on the inner dirt at Aqueduct, she is stakes-placed at Belmont, having finished second in last year’s Bouwerie.
Flipcup (Last 3 Beyers: 61-40-83)
The dual stakes winner began her career at Woodbine, where she won her first two starts on Polytrack. “She’s by a Canadian sire, Milwaukee Brew, and was foaled here in New York, so she qualifies for the restricted races up in Ontario and here in New York,” said breeder and co-owner Shirl Penney.
Flipcup is named for a popular drinking game.
Carameaway (Last 3 Beyers: 63-60-67)
Richest payday was a win in last year’s Saratoga Dew. “I’m glad for the owner [Richard Greeley],” said trainer Mitch Friedman. “He’s put a lot of money into this business.”