Memorial Day Weekend: Racing Lineup

Belmont Stakes News:

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Leading Belmont Stakes contender, Florida Derby winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Ice Box proved his readiness to face the rigors of the Triple Crown’s third jewel on Thursday at Saratoga with a flashy bullet half mile work. Ice Box completed his half mile in :46 3/5ths and trainer Nick Zito says that he clocked him galloping out the six furlongs in 1:14. His was the fastest move at the distance of 22 identical works and had Zito sounding pretty happy with the effort. “He finished with good energy and looked good doing it” Zito said before stating that Ice Box appeared to have zip in him. It sounds like Zito will once again have a powerful hand in the Belmont Stakes.

Bluegrass Stakes winner Stately Victor also turned in a good workout for his run in Belmont Stakes on May 25^th. Stately Victor went five furlongs in a speedy :59.40 with excellent internal fractions throughout the work. He galloped out the six furlongs in 1:14.20.

Both Drosselmeyer and Make Music For Me turned in works at Belmont park on Wednesday in preparation for the Belmont Stakes. Neither time for the two colts was very impressive but both of the colts trainers seemed to think the track was somewhat deep and tiring. Make Music for Me went a mile in 1:43.65 for trainer Alexis Barba while Drosselmeyer covered six furlongs in 1:14.10 for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

Dave In Dixie has joined the Belmont cast this year for trainer John Sadler. After working one mile in 1:39.60 at Hollywood Park the decision was made to enter the colt in the Belmont. Dave In Dixie will be ridden by Kentucky Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel in the Belmont according to Sadler.

Aristides Stakes:

Jockey Calvin Borel and Churchill Downs Stakes (gr.2) victor Atta Boy will attempt to win a second graded stakes race at Churchill Downs after flying to a rousing upset at odds of 10-1 in the Churchill Downs Stakes on Kentucky Derby Day May 1^st. This time around the 5-year-old will go off as the high-weight favorite in the six furlong Aristides Stakes (gr.3) against five opponents. He will most likely receive a strong test from 4-year-old Cash Refund who enters the Aristides riding a three race winning streak. Cash Refund’s biggest success has come from setting the pace on the front-end so the six furlong distance will be well suited to his style. Others entered are Lissa’s Star, Riley Tucker, Chief of Affairs and Cassoulet.

Chief of Affairs in one to watch after winning his last start, the James Whitcomb Riley Stakes,  in dominant fashion over fellow entrant Riley Tucker. He has hit the board in all 5 other starts this year.

I will post about more of the weekend’s upcoming races by tomorrow morning including the Metropolitan Handicap, Gamely Stakes, Winning Colors Stakes and Lone Star Park Handicap.