Street Cry, winner of the Dubai 2000 Guineas and third-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, worked five furlongs Wednesday in 1:02 2/5 in his first work for the Kentucky Derby since arriving at Churchill Downs from Dubai. Exercise rider Lee Roebuck was aboard for the mount on a track rated as fast. Street Cry worked just after the mid-morning break for track maintenance.
“It was easy enough,” said Eric Coatrieux, an assistant to Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor. “He just did what he had to do. We didn’t ask him for any more than that.” Coatrieux said the work was intended to be an easy move. “We just wanted an easy work so he could see the track and everything around,” he said. “He’s in shape already.”
NYRA has announced that all the reserved seats have been sold out for the Belmont Stakes, to be held June 9. Over 21,000 reserved seats were available at Belmont Park. There is still plenty of room in the backyard, grandstand and at trackside for the Belmont Stakes. Free seats will be available in those areas. Plus, 900 apron bleacher seats have been added, which are also free. All advanced ticket sales have been filled as well.
1ST RACE – Despite the threats of rain and a brief snow flurry in the morning, the track was listed as fast on this cool day for racing. Favored Woodford Rocks switched tactics by rating off the pace early while racing wide and then dropped back to last by the time the field reach the far turn. He started to make a run and just got up to get the place spot over pacesetting Gate Card. He should improve off that effort and may find the wide sweeping turns of Belmont Park more to his liking.
2ND RACE – Chief Justin was much the best on paper and he did not disappoint his backers as he easily handled this field of bottom of the barrel claimers. After breaking sharply he fell back to fifth when he stumbled after being brushed by Party Chief and Timeframe. Chief Justin recovered quickly and rated off the pace while Skyrunner and Timeframe battled for the lead. Turning for home Chief Justin was under a drive and edged away from the field for the victory. Timeframe had the lead nearing the stretch when jockey Joe Bravo lost his whip. Bravo continued to ride Timeframe vigorously, under a hand ride and then slapping Timeframe on the shoulder with his left hand. He held on for the place spot.
4TH RACE – Fans couldn’t decide whom to bet between three horses so each one was sent off at 5-2. Wicklow Warrior, who was sent off as the favorite in the Pick Three probables, was sent off as the third choice in the race in win wagering. He rated off the pace while saving ground and then checked behind Buscavida. When the rail opened up slightly turning for home Wicklow Warrior shot through to gain the lead and the victory. Max Patch, who was sent off as the favorite in the win wagering, was last early but closed well on the outside to gain the place spot.
6TH RACE – While racing down the backstretch, Sparky’s Mission with apprentice Carlos Castillo riding set the pace while favored Amarettitorumble with Joe Bravo riding stalked in second. Both jockeys had a hard hold on their mounts, but you can tell how confident Bravo felt aboard the favorite while Castillo was seemingly worried not to go too fast on the lead. On the far turn Amarettitorumble took the lead, but Sparky’s Mission still had some fight left. In the stretch Sparky’s Mission tried to gain ground on the favorite but he didn’t have enough horse. Golden Foil trailed the field early and then made a strong run in the stretch towards the lead. He hesitated slightly in the stretch while racing inside behind the favorite but then just got up to nip Sparky’s Mission for the place spot.
8TH RACE – Hello Saratoga pressed the pace in second and took the lead on the far turn. He drew off to a seemingly commanding lead in the stretch but then he started to tire badly. Telescam was racing inside of Classic Endeavor in the stretch drive and then started to angle out to make his run towards the tiring leader. He edged away from Classic Endeavor and then cut in front of him, forcing Classic Endeavor to check. Telescam took the lead near the wire and finished first. Heberto Castillo Jr. on Classic Endeavor claimed foul on the winner, but after a review by the stewards, no action was taken.
YESTERDAY’S CLAIMS
2ND RACE: Chief Justin ($10,000) by Steve Klesaris
4TH RACE: Mon Come King ($27,500) by Errol Mattis
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 3-1-3-3-7-1
3 winners each receives $9,697
162 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $59.50
No carryover.