Modernist to be Entered in Belmont Stakes

Trainer Bill Mott says Pam and Martin Wygod's Modernist will be entered June 17 at the post position draw for the $1 million Belmont Stakes (G1), bringing the field up to nine candidates, barring any last-minute defections or additions.

"We will enter tomorrow," Mott said June 16. "As long as the horse is good and acts well, we intend to run. That always goes without saying. As long as he's good on race day."

Mott said Modernist was doing well Tuesday, two days after a bullet :59 1/5 five-furlong work June 14 at Belmont Park.

"He absolutely looked good today," said Mott, who heads into this week's racing action with 4,999 North American wins. "That helped make our decision."

Modernist, a son of Uncle Mo , is coming off a third-place finish in the March 21 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), a race run at 1 3/16 miles, which, in an unusual twist due to revamped stakes schedules, is a sixteenth-of-a-mile longer than the 1 1/8-mile Belmont Stakes.

In his prior start, Modernist used his keen early speed to capture the second division of the Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2). 

Bred by the Wygod Family out of the Bernardini  mare Symbolic Gesture, Modernist has won two of his five career starts with two thirds and earnings of $388,800.

Modernist made his career debut at Belmont Park last year at 2, finishing fifth in a Sept. 28 six-furlong maiden special weight test. It was his lone start at the Elmont N.Y., track and last race at a distance less than a mile.

Aside from Modernist, the expected starters are probable morning-line favorite Tiz the Law, Sole Volante, Tap It to Win, Dr Post, Farmington Road, Max Player, Pneumatic, and Jungle Runner.

With a field of nine, it would be the smallest field for a Belmont Stakes since 2015 when American Pharoah  beat seven rivals to complete his Triple Crown sweep.

The post position draw for the 152nd Belmont Stakes is scheduled for noon Wednesday. It can be seen via a live stream on the New York Racing Association's YouTube channel.

Jungle Runner Breezes for Belmont

Calumet Farm's Jungle Runner posted a half-mile breeze in :50.50 Tuesday on the Belmont Park dirt training track in preparation for the Belmont Stakes.

The work was the third local breeze for Steve Asmussen trainee.

"It was a nice easy half in :50 and change," said assistant trainer Toby Sheets. "He galloped out in a minute. Not a big gallop out but we're very happy with it. He's doing well."

Jungle Runner captured the seven-furlong Clever Trevor at Remington Park in November. The Candy Ride  colt was eighth last out out in the first division of the May 2 Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.

"He's had some decent works on the main track and then just a nice, easy blowout here this morning" said Sheets. "He's done everything the way we wanted. It's a big step up, but we'll give it a try."

Asmussen will also have Winchell Thoroughbreds' Pneumatic in the Belmont. The Uncle Mo colt breezed a :51 3/5 half-mile Monday at Churchill Downs and comes off a third in the May 23 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) after winning his first two starts.

"He has good form and I think he has a good shot in there," Sheets said.