War Story will try to tap into his speed for Belmont Stakes
ELMONT, N.Y. – If Ron Paolucci has his way, American Pharoah won’t be loose on the lead in the June 6 Belmont Stakes like he was in last Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, where American Pharoah splish-splashed his way to a seven-length victory in the Pimlico slop.
Paolucci said Monday that War Story, 16th in the Kentucky Derby, would run in the Belmont and that the plan is to be on the lead in the early stages of the race. The closest War Story has been to the pace in any of his six previous starts was last Dec. 28 when he stalked a modest pace in a one-mile optional-claiming race that he won by 2 3/4 lengths.
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He then came from off the pace in runner-up finishes to International Star in the Lecomte and Risen Star and third to that same horse in the Louisiana Derby. In the Kentucky Derby, War Story was 11 lengths back of a modest early pace when racing in 15th position.
Paolucci said that trainer Tom Amoss would put the blinkers back on War Story for the Belmont. Amoss had taken them off for the Kentucky Derby after the gelding had worn them in his previous five starts.
“I’m not going to outsprint [American Pharoah], Materiality, or Frosted,” Paolucci said. “My horse has a lot of natural speed if you choose to use it. We chose to have him come from off of it in Kentucky. I’d rather take a shot and try and win it than sit sixth or seventh and try to outsprint superior-type horses that have proven faster than me.”
Paolucci also said that Colby Hernandez would ride War Story in the Belmont. Hernandez, 26, is the leading rider at Evangeline Downs, with 63 wins from 170 mounts. He leads the second-place rider by 29 victories.
“He is one of the best up-and-coming riders and one of the hottest riders in the country right now.” Paolucci said. “He’s put up some phenomenal rides for me.”
War Story was expected to breeze Tuesday at Churchill Downs. Paolucci is hoping to have War Story get in one breeze at Belmont Park before the race.