Vekoma's Sir Shackleton victory gives him an edge in Carter Handicap

ELMONT, N.Y. – In a race where any little advantage could be beneficial, Vekoma will enter Saturday’s competitive Grade 1, $250,000 Carter Handicap holding a recency edge over his main rivals.

Though it wasn’t by design, Vekoma, last year’s Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes winner, won the Sir Shackleton Stakes on March 28 at Gulfstream Park. It was his first start since he finished 11th in the 2019 Kentucky Derby.

Vekoma will bring that advantage into a Carter that attracted Grade 1 winners Mind Control and Firenze Fire as well as the streaking Performer. The Carter, at seven furlongs, is a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in November at Keeneland.

The Carter, which was moved from Aqueduct to Belmont following the shutdown of racing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be the first Grade 1 race of the year run in New York. It highlights an 11-race Saturday program that includes the Grade 2 Fort Marcy, Grade 3 Beaugay, and Grade 3 Westchester.

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While trainer George Weaver said he would have been prepared to run Vekoma in the Carter off the layoff had it been run in April, he doesn’t mind having a race under his belt.

“When you’re coming off a long layoff I don’t think it’s ideal to jump in against heavy-heads, so that probably worked out in our favor,” Weaver said Wednesday at Belmont. “It gives him a chance to get some confidence back. He knows how good he is. I probably wouldn’t have chosen 10 weeks between the two races, but it is what it is.”

Weaver also entered Majestic Dunhill, a multiple listed stakes winner, who would benefit from a hot pace.

Vekoma drew the outside post in the 11-horse field and will be ridden by Javier Castellano.

Inside of Vekoma, from the rail out, are Firenze Fire, Performer, Still Having Fun, Nitrous, Network Effect, Midnightcharly, American Anthem, Bon Raison, Majestic Dunhill, and Mind Control.

◗ Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who was given a three-day suspension by the Santa Anita stewards for a Memorial Day riding infraction, will not ride Friday or June 13. He served one day on May 31. This Saturday, he will be permitted to ride only the four stakes.