Sir Winston, Perfect Alibi Target Belmont Races

Tracy Farmer's homebred Sir Winston, winner of the 2019 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), is likely to make his return to Belmont Park in the $80,000 Flat Out Stakes June 11.

The 1 3/8-mile contest for older horses will be Sir Winston's first start since Jan. 31, when he rallied to victory in an allowance optional claiming event going a mile at Aqueduct Racetrack. The 4-year-old colt then shipped to Dubai for the March 28 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), which was canceled six days out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Since returning to Belmont, Sir Winston has trained consistently toward a return for trainer Mark Casse. The Awesome Again chestnut breezed five furlongs May 22 in 1:01.76 on a fast main track. His stablemate Perfect Alibi, Farmer's Spinaway Stakes (G1) winner, was clocked in the same time Friday.

"Sir Winston worked really well, and Perfect Alibi is just sitting on go. She's training as good as she's ever trained," assistant trainer Jamie Begg said.

Perfect Alibi is targeting the $300,000 Acorn Stakes (G1) on the June 20 Belmont Stakes undercard. The sophomore daughter of Sky Mesa  has not raced since she finished fourth in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Begg said he is looking forward to a return to live racing at Belmont June 3.

"It's like every horse is coming off a layoff. Barns can get hot and cold, so it will be interesting to see how we come out of this hiatus," Begg said. "I'm happy with how most of our horses are running right now. Usually, when you've been running a bunch, you know if you're hot or cold and how to play your hand. … But right now, who knows? I'm looking forward to seeing them all run."

Casse trainees Eyeinthesky and Old Chestnut have also received race targets at Belmont Park.

Gary Barber's Eyeinthesky, a multiple stakes-winning daughter of Sky Mesa, is likely to make her next start in the $100,000 Intercontinental Stakes (G3T), a seven-furlong turf sprint slated for June 6. The 4-year-old bay captured the Mizdirection Stakes at Aqueduct and the Galway Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in a productive sophomore season.

Live Oak Plantation homebred Old Chestnut, a 3-year-old son of Speightstown , is pointed to the $80,000 Sir Cat set for June 19 at six furlongs on the turf for sophomores. Old Chestnut, out of grade 1 winner Pool Land, captured the Ontario Racing Stakes on the Woodbine turf in September in his third start.