Sole Volante to Ship to New York for the Belmont Stakes

In a refreshing change for a lead-up to the Triple Crown marred with defections, majority owner Dean Reeves said Sole Volante will indeed run June 20 in the $1 million Belmont Stakes (G1).

"The horse made the decision for us. He's ready to run in the Belmont," said Reeves, who owns the 3-year-old son of Karakontie  along with Andie Biancone. "The main thing is he's doing real well. (Trainer Patrick Biancone) is happy with him, so everything is on for the horse."

Sole Volante is currently stabled at the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and making arrangements to ship to Belmont Park was not easy, but it worked out in the end.

"It wasn't perfect in this day and age," Reeves said. "We have to go FedEx. He has to go to Memphis first, wait there a bit, and then he'll get to New York about 8 p.m. (June 16)."

The June 15 announcement comes just five days after Sole Volante won a June 10 allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park in his first start since finishing second in the March 7 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2).

While the presence of a heavy favorite in Tiz the Law persuaded other connections to find easier spots for their 3-year-olds, Reeves said he could not pass up the chance to run in an American classic when his horse was ready to run.

"In this business if your horse is ready to go, you have to run. If you wait, something invariably happens," Reeves said. "None of these races were going to be easy, be it the Belmont or the (July 11 Toyota) Blue Grass Stakes (G2). All of these horses can run a big number any day. We may get some grief, but we're shipping out tomorrow and we'll see how we do."

Winner of the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3), Sole Volante comes into the "Test of the Champion" with four victories from six career starts, and Reeves is confident the gelding out of the Kingmambo mare Light Blow will make his presence felt in the nine-furlong test.

"He belongs with this group," Reeves said, "and we have a big shot. We'll probably be third choice. It will be a competitive race and hopefully an exciting day for us."

A field of eight or nine has taken shape for the opening leg of the Triple Crown, with Dr Post, Farmington Road, Max Player, Tap It to Win, Pneumatic, and Jungle Runner the other likely starters.

Trainer Bill Mott said Monday he will confer with owners Pam and Martin Wygod about the options for Modernist later in the day and likely announce a decision Tuesday about the grade 2-winning son of Uncle Mo 's status.