6/10 (BEL): 149th Belmont Stakes Day (6 G1's, 3 G2's, 1 G3)
 

Songbird to Belmont Park for 2017 debut

California-based two-time champion Songbird will make her 2017 debut at Belmont Park on June 10, Belmont Stakes day, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer confirmed early Thursday morning.

Songbird, who is scheduled to work Thursday at Santa Anita, is nominated to the Grade 1, $400,000 Beholder Mile on June 3 at Santa Anita, but Hollendorfer and Songbird’s owner Rick Porter have opted for the $750,000 Phipps one week later.

“The degree of difficulty between the two races is probably about the same,” Hollendorfer said. “But one purse is 750, and the other purse is 400. That was a big factor. Plus, it would give me another week to work with her and get her ready before Belmont day.”

Songbird has not started since finishing second by a nose in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Nov. 4. That was her first loss from 12 starts. Songbird has earned $3,712,000.

Mike Smith is scheduled to work Songbird by herself Thursday morning at 6:30. Battle of Midway, third in the Kentucky Derby, also will work Thursday as he prepares for the Grade 3 Affirmed on June 24 at Santa Anita.

Songbird is ducking Stellar Wind................no ands if or buts..............sorry it is what it is

Sure, I'll bite!


Maybe there's a couple hundred K ands ifs or buts about it!

We are talking about the same Stellar Wind that finished a handful of lengths behind Songbird the last time they were seen together, correct?

What is it about Songbird that turns some people into lunatics?

Imagine Rick Porter's frail health playing into the decision as well.

That she got jobbed is one thing that comes to mind.
Her beauty and ability is another.

That might explain it for you, but what about RTH saying she's no better than Plum Pretty or Fatpiano saying her connections are ducking, of all horses, Stellar Wind?

Losing Songbird has got to sting Santa Anita.........of course the way they run their meet it seems kind of fitting.
Good break for Belmont getting more star power for their best card of the year.

Conquest Mo Money leaning towards the Woody Stephens over Belmont try..

What happened to Irap, did he get hurt?

Ohio Derby.. aka The 'Buckeye Belmont'..

Thanks!

Practical Joke should be in The Met Mile.................I'm just saying

For an 8th place workout?

I agree ( and I'm not the only one ) but unfortunately he's not nominated and has been training towards the Dwyer.

At least she'll get a fair chance by the placing judges in New York should any hoss get near her, which is doubtful.

Why run against better older hosses and be about 8-1, when he will be fave and win the Dwyer ?

Grade 2, $400,000 Brooklyn Invitational

Probable: Doyouknowsomething (A.C. Avila); Behesht (Arnold); Governor Malibu (Clement); Idolo Porteno (Ignacio Correas, IV); Send It In (Pletcher); Sunny Ridge (Jason Servis); Tu Brutus (Gary Contessa); War Story (Navarro)


Grade 3, $300,000 Jaipur Invitational

Probable: Canadian Flyer (Mott); Conquest Enforcer (Giglio); Disco Partner (Clement); Green Mask (Cox); Hogy (Larry Rivelli); Holding Gold (Casse); Loose on the Town (Lynch); Pure Sensation (Clement); Stormy Liberal (Miller); Tombelaine (C. Brown), Undrafted (Ward); Why Two (Michael Machowsky)

Possible: Always Sunshine (Allard)

Brooklyn looks fun!! Too bad Arrogate is ducking these guys :)

Going for a Gr. 1 at her sixth different track.
Hollendorfer has won the Delaware Handicap twice,he might be eyeing that one next.

She says that's the plan. Then on to Saratoga to win the Personal Ensign on Travers Day.

Then repeat in the Distaff?

Tu Brutus most be some kind of animal

finally , someone who can read a photo and recognize a headbob win.

Let's talk some racing.

Have any sure things next weekend even before the posts are drawn? I have one in mind, and no, it's not that Conquest Mo Money doesn't win another race in 2017, although I feel as confident about that as I do Catch a Glimpse's best races are far behind her.

Indeed!

Anybody know if Whitmore is running in the True North on Friday?

Yes. But no A. P. Indian.

PHIPPS

1 Highway Star
2 Paid Up Subscriber
3 Factory of Faith
4 Verve's Tale 5 Songbird
6 Bar of Gold
7 Carina Mia

SATURDAY GRADED STAKE ORDER

3 Brooklyn
4 Acorn
5 Phipps
6 Jaipur
7 Woody Stephens
8 Just a Game
9 Met Mile
10 Manhattan
11 Belmont

Nice to see petrov..liked him this spring

9th: METROPOLITAN

1 Inside Straight 15-1
2 Rally Cry 5-1
3 Denman’s Call 15-1
4 Solid Wager 15-1
5 Sharp Azteca 7-2
6 Mohaymen 20-1
7 Economic Model 15-1
8 Tom’s Ready 15-1
9 Mor Spirit 5-2
10 Virtual Machine 30-1
11 Tommy Macho 10-1
12 Awesome Slew 6-1


10th: MANHATTAN

1 Beach Patrol 4-1
2 Wake Forest 8-1
3 World Approval 3-1
4 Time Test 5-1
5 Ascend 20-1
6 Potemkin 8-1
7 Divisidero 4-1
8 Applicator 30-1
9 Sadler’s Joy 6-1


11th: BELMONT STAKES

1 Twisted Tom (J. Castellano) 20-1
2 Tapwrit (J. Ortiz) 6-1
3 Gormley (V. Espinoza) 8-1
4 J Boys Echo (R. Alvarado) 15-1
5 Hollywood Handsome (F. Geroux) 30-1
6 Looking At Lee (I. Ortiz Jr.) 5-1
7 Irish War Cry (R. Maragh) 7-2
8 Senior Investment (C. Hill) 12-1
9 Meantime (M. Smith) 15-1
10 Multiplier (J. Rosario) 15-1
11 Epicerais (C. Lemaire) 4-1
12 Patch (J. Velazquez) 12-1

Not sure Mor Spirit should be favored of Sharp Azteca who has shown in tougher races to be a real racehorse, those Grade 3 wins for Mor Spirit are ok but this is a giant stepup

I wonder if Chad is sneaky live in the back five of the Mega-Card ?
He does have a habit of popping with price horses on big days.
Woody Stephens: LHB{5-1} Looked classy as can be in the last 1/8th of the Bay Shore.........LHB & The Money Monster look good.
Just a Game: Antonoe{8-1} The definition of a sneak play,it's all about her Euro form.
In three of her losses a Group 1 winner won the race,including the undefeated(8 for 8 now retired) La Cressonniere.
Antonoe also beat future double Group 1 winning Qemah when she broke her maiden by 6+ lengths.
Met Mile: Economic Model{15-1} CB rarely makes equipment changes,but the hood comes off Saturday(EM was 0 for 4 in blinkers).
Manhattan: Time Test{5-1} Wants firm ground..........badly,was competitive with horses in Europe that are half a pole better than these.
Belmont: Twisted Tom{20-1} Runs on anything,has won on Grass/Mud/Inner/Fast.
Undefeated in blinkers............the longer the better.

Sounds like the Japanese horse will be out due to a leg issue

The Woodford Reserve --- where Chad Brown has 3 going in a turf race and odds are against for even one of them to hit the exacta. Can't imagine seeing that too often!

Songbird hasn't run around one-turn since her 2yo campaign and never a one-turn route. Clutching at straws....

If someone could tell me how Rally Cry is 3rd choice in a Grade 1, i would sincerely appreciate it. Seems to be zero respect for those who ran in the Churchill sprint on derby day. None the less, i think this race falls apart up front and i'm fading Mor Spirit b/c i think his one and only tactic is to hope Sharp Azteca comes back to him, even so, i believe the closers will be getting into the action around that time.

-bt-