Turf race rematches Believe Indeed, Desert Duchess

ELMONT, N.Y. – The Belmont Stakes is in the rearview mirror, but five weeks – 23 racing days – remain in the spring-summer meet beginning with Wednesday’s nine-race program.

The most wide-open betting race on the card appears to be the sixth, a starter allowance for fillies and mares who have started for a claiming tag of $50,000 or less and remain eligible for their first-level allowance condition. The race is scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Fifteen were entered, including one for the main track only. Believe Indeed was relegated to the also-eligible list, but she is expected to get the two scratches she needs to get into the field. One scratch will be her stablemate Driven by Speed, who was entered back on Thursday’s card. A second scratch will be Ten Penny Princess, who is sick, trainer Bruce Brown said Monday.

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Believe Indeed won a $35,000 claiming race by a head over Desert Duchess here on May 21. Owner Mike Repole and trainer Bruce Levine won a three-way shake to claim Believe Indeed while watching Desert Duchess get claimed from them by Mike Maker. Desert Duchess is in this field.

Levine’s concern about running Believe Indeed on Wednesday is that she would leave from post 12.

“Tough post out there,” Levine said. “She doesn’t have any early speed.”

The good news for her is that there does appear to be ample speed in the race, including Desert Duchess, Tiz Twice, and potentially Romantic Music and Bright Side Up.

KEY CONTENDERS

Desert Duchess, by Hard Spun

Last 3 Beyers: 74-68-67

◗ Just got run down by Believe Indeed late after vying for the lead May 21.

◗ Maker is 5 for 19 at Belmont first off the claim on turf over the last three years, with a $4.33 ROI.

◗ Picks up Javier Castellano.

Believe Indeed, by Posse

Last 3 Beyers: 74-76-73

◗ Got a ground-saving trip, then closed with a strong late run to get by Desert Duchess on May 21.

◗ Levine is only 2 for 15 first off the claim on turf over the last three years, with a $0.89 ROI.

◗ Rajiv Maragh, on Desert Duchess last time, rides Believe Indeed this time.

Short Kakes, by Kodiak Kowboy

Last 3 Beyers: 71-63-53

◗ Potential value in this spot, she finished fifth behind Desert Duchess in April at Aqueduct in her lone turf start, a race that might be better than it looks on paper. She had to steady and alter course in upper stretch after racing eagerly into the first turn.

◗ Trainer David Cannizzo said she was working in company with Black Tide, who won here Sunday.

Nouvelle Vague, by Henrythenavigator

Last 3 Beyers: 78-77-76

◗ Narrowly beaten when second for $40,000 and claimed by Linda Rice from Chad Brown on April 14 at Aqueduct. Over the last three years, Rice has 7 wins and 6 seconds from 27 starters first off the claim on turf, for a $2.74 ROI. Two of those wins have come at this meet.