Wells Bayou will skip Belmont Stakes
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisiana Derby winner Wells Bayou will bypass the June 20 Belmont Stakes in favor of the July 8 Indiana Derby at Indiana Grand or July 11 Blue Grass at Keeneland, trainer Brad Cox said. Fifth in a division of the Arkansas Derby in his last start, Wells Bayou already has a sufficient number of qualifying points (104) to make the 20-horse cutoff for the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby.
Cox said Bonny South, winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks, probably will race next in the July 11 Ashland at Keeneland, although the July 8 Indiana Oaks also will be considered. The Munnings filly has been breezing on a regular basis at Keeneland since late April.
Cox added that the June 27 Stephen Foster at Churchill and the July 4 Met Mile at Belmont are in play for Owendale and Warrior’s Charge, both of whom have emerged as major players in the national handicap division.