Belgrade can now be pointed to a prep race for the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) after a quick return in an allowable option claim race on February 19 at Tampa Bay Downs after going through the ring at Keeneland January Sale of Horses of all ages.
3 year old kid Spin hard colt won in good form for new owners Carl and Yurie Pascarella. He changed hands for $700,000 during the January sale at Keeneland to top Session 2 and was the second-highest price during the sale. Four Star Sales, agent, consignment Belgrade, who won the debut for previous owner Randy Bradshaw on December 18 at Fair Grounds & Slots.
Graham Motion, currently coaching for Belgrade, has the $400,000 South Tampa Lambholm Bay Derby (G2) circled on March 12 as a possibility on the calendar. The 1/16-mile race offers scores on a 50-20-10-5 scale as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
“Here’s the idea, to get him into this allowance race with the thought that if it goes well, we can go on to the Tampa Derby. The only caveat is that this race is supposed to be a couple of weeks. days earlier, but it’s Motion said Sunday. “So if he comes back for the Tampa Derby, he’ll be back in three weeks, which I don’t rule out at all because he seems to have already step out of the great race. If all goes well, it’s my first choice. “
Miss Prytania’s pony (by Eskendereya ) undulating just after breaking 1st place then moving outside to drop the leader. He took turns swinging wide on all four sides and gradually entered the dispute in the upper part. Belgrade pressed the field with the encouragement of runner Hector Diaz Jr to win by head in a final time of 1:24.10 for seven long jumps on the fast track.
Belgrade loves the winner’s circle! Rough finish! @HerringswellStb @iwilsonasb @TampaBayDownFL pic.twitter.com/VBBXTUxvei
– casey helen (@caseyhelennn) February 19, 2022
“Things have settled down and we can do everything we want with him. He was galloping for a few weeks before his first appearance,” Motion said. “I talked to Brendan (Walsh, the previous coach) about him and what his plans were going to be, and things just came out and started working this weekend. I recognized him. beat a much worse field than he will see in the Tampa Derby, but I think he’s gone a long way to do that and I think Hector gave him a great ride. I think he’s definitely done enough to go on.”
Bred in Kentucky by JR Ward Stables, the Belgrade was originally picked by Bradshaw from the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Show for $45,000 when consigned by Brookdale Sales. He has a career earnings of $35,400 after winning the first two.
