Paradise Farms and New York are rated #1 by David Staudacher Wine manager is under consideration for both the $2 million 10-length Belmont Stakes (G1) and the 7-length Woody Stephens (G1), both scheduled for June 8 at the time Saratoga Race Course.
Trained by Mike Maker, son of 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Vino Rosso was last seen finishing second to his Belmont Stakes rival Antique in Peter Pan (G3) May 11 at Belmont at Big A.
The winemaster has finished second in his last three outings, including in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) in October at Keenelandand at Lexington (G3) to begin his sophomore campaign in April on the same course.
The wine steward has his first work since Peter Pan on May 25 at Churchill Downstraveled half a mile in :48.
“I was there and he worked pretty easily and looked good,” Staudacher said. “Mike will have to decide which race to race in the next week or so. We haven’t decided yet. He’s had a few tough races, so we’ve got to make sure he’s back to normal.”
The wine steward graduated on his five furlong sprint debut last May at the Belmont Park ahead of the opener’s stakes win at six-furlong Bashford Manor at Ellis Park. He followed with a head win over many graded stakes El Grande O in the state-bred Funny Cide running six furlongs at Saratoga en route to his two-way debut in the 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Futurity.
“It depends on the trip, but I think he can get (the distance) – he is bred for it and can do it,” Staudacher said of the 10-furlong Belmont Stakes distance. . “I think he likes the track there, so we’ll see what Mike decides to do. We just have to see how the horse is doing. He’s a really good horse and we don’t want to push him. We’re going to love it at Belmont so we’re looking forward to it.”
In addition to The Wine Steward, Paradise Farms and Staudacher are also looking at ranked winners Sugoi and deposit in order Really well for the 1 3/16-mile run, the $1 million Manhattan (G1T) or the 2-mile Belmont Gold Cup (G2T) worth $250,000, will be a “Golden Ticket” event that gives the winner a automatic berth into the $8.4 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1).
“It will just depend on who goes where,” Staudacher said.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
