Steinbrenner's Bellamy Road Returns for Travers
It looks like the Travers over the King's Bishop for Bellamy Road.
The long-awaited return of George Steinbrenner's Bellamy Road will take place in Saturday's $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, trainer Nick Zito indicated Tuesday.
"I'm leaning toward the Travers,'' Zito said after weeks of indecision whether to run in the "Midsummer Derby'' at 1 1/4 miles or against unbeaten Lost in the Fog in the King's Bishop at seven furlongs the same day.
Bellamy Road, last seen finishing seventh as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby, was sidelined by an injury to a bone that runs from the knee to the ankle.
But in six workouts since the minor injury, Bellamy Road has shown he is ready to return to the races, perhaps in a big way. On Sunday, the 3-year-old colt owned by the Yankees' boss worked five furlongs in a speedy 59.80 seconds over a wet track.
Two Web sites, Bloodhorse.com. and the Daily Racing Form's drf.com, reported Tuesday that Zito had decided on the Travers for Bellamy Road.
Zito's feeling is that Bellamy Road, who came into the Derby off an astonishing 17 1/2 -length victory in the Wood Memorial, will face a softer field in the Travers than in the King's Bishop. Plus, the Travers would better prepare Bellamy Road for future races, including the 1 1/4 -mile Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 29.
The Travers' post position draw is Wednesday, and a field of seven is likely. Other confirmed starters are Haskell winner Roman Ruler, Jim Dandy winner Flower Alley, Reverberate, Chekhov, Don't Get Mad and Andromeda's Hero, also trained by Zito.
Among the absentees are Derby winner Giacomo and Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Afleet Alex, both sidelined with injuries.
The long-awaited return of George Steinbrenner's Bellamy Road will take place in Saturday's $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, trainer Nick Zito indicated Tuesday.
"I'm leaning toward the Travers,'' Zito said after weeks of indecision whether to run in the "Midsummer Derby'' at 1 1/4 miles or against unbeaten Lost in the Fog in the King's Bishop at seven furlongs the same day.Bellamy Road, last seen finishing seventh as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby, was sidelined by an injury to a bone that runs from the knee to the ankle.
But in six workouts since the minor injury, Bellamy Road has shown he is ready to return to the races, perhaps in a big way. On Sunday, the 3-year-old colt owned by the Yankees' boss worked five furlongs in a speedy 59.80 seconds over a wet track.
Two Web sites, Bloodhorse.com. and the Daily Racing Form's drf.com, reported Tuesday that Zito had decided on the Travers for Bellamy Road.
Zito's feeling is that Bellamy Road, who came into the Derby off an astonishing 17 1/2 -length victory in the Wood Memorial, will face a softer field in the Travers than in the King's Bishop. Plus, the Travers would better prepare Bellamy Road for future races, including the 1 1/4 -mile Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 29.
The Travers' post position draw is Wednesday, and a field of seven is likely. Other confirmed starters are Haskell winner Roman Ruler, Jim Dandy winner Flower Alley, Reverberate, Chekhov, Don't Get Mad and Andromeda's Hero, also trained by Zito.
Among the absentees are Derby winner Giacomo and Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Afleet Alex, both sidelined with injuries.
Up-to-date Travers news and handicapping picks and tips @ HorsesWild.
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Travers Stakes, Horse Racing, Saratoga Springs, Saratoga 2005
posted by Seabiscuit Schmiscuit at 8:34 PM
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