Versatile Clint Maroon may have edge in Pennine Ridge

ELMONT, N.Y. – Clint Maroon’s versatile running style and ability to handle any type of ground may give him an edge over six rivals in an interesting renewal of Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Pennine Ridge Stakes at Belmont Park.

The Pennine Ridge, scheduled for 1 1/8 miles over Belmont’s inner turf course, is the local prep for the $1 million Belmont Derby at 1 1/4 miles here on July 6. The Pennine Ridge drew eight runners but Swamp Rat is going to scratch to run in Saturday’s $75,000 Tale of the Cat Stakes at Monmouth, according to trainer Phil Gleaves.

Clint Maroon brings a three-race winning streak into the Pennine Ridge. He won a maiden and a first-level allowance at Gulfstream, then took the Woodhaven Stakes at Aqueduct by four lengths. Following a stalking victory in his allowance win going a mile, Clint Maroon got loose on the lead under Irad Ortiz Jr. in the Woodhaven.

“He seems versatile and tactical enough you can place him wherever you need to,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Didn’t really think we’d be on the lead last time, but when no one else went, Irad was able to take advantage of it. If there is pace, he’s happy to sit off it.”

There does not appear to be much pace in the Pennine Ridge.

Pletcher also sends out Social Paranoia in this spot. After going winless in five starts as a 2-year-old, Social Paranoia won a maiden race at Gulfstream by eight lengths on March 30. He was sent off the 5-2 favorite in the Grade 2 American Turf and ran well to be third, beaten three-quarters of a length by winner Digital Age. Pletcher felt Social Paranoia was compromised by being down inside on atrack that was rated firm but had plenty of moisture in it, especially closest to the rail.

“We would have liked to have been able to get him off the fence at some point,” Pletcher said.

Trainer Chad Brown sends out the undefeated pair of Demarchelier and ValueProposition. Demarchelier has won both his starts, both at 1 1/16 miles, including an allowance race at Keeneland on April 12.

“He’s doing good. This race looks like it fits for him. Try him at a mile and aneighth and then get him out to a mile and a quarter, hopefully, in the [Belmont] Derby,” Brown said.

Value Proposition is coming off a 4 1/4-length debut victory over yielding Belmontturf going 1 1/16 miles on April 27.

“He may lack experience but he’s got a win over the course already, he seems like he wants more ground, and he’s got a really good turn of foot,” Brown said.

Seismic Wave showed a really good turn of foot making up nearly five lengths of a 6 1/4-length deficit in the final furlong to be fourth in the American Turf at Churchill. Trainer Bill Mott felt Seismic Wave was compromised by the course being softer than the firm at which it was labeled.

Henley’s Joy and Magnificent McCool complete the field.