Trio From Lure Returns in Knickerbocker

Apparently a six-day delay did little to help the New York Racing Association round up a full field for the $150,000 Knickerbocker Stakes (G2T).

Only five starters, including three veterans of the Sept. 7 Lure Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, will line up for the Oct. 18 1 1/8-mile turf stakes at Belmont Park, which was moved from its original Oct. 12 date due to a rainy forecast.

In the Lure, Devamani was the top finisher among the Knickerbocker trio, closing for third. Just a neck behind him was Breaking the Rules and it was another head back to Olympico, both of whom will also return Sunday.

Devamani, one of two Chad Brown-trained starters, is winless in five 2020 starts with two seconds and a pair of thirds. The 6-year-old gelding opened the year with runner-up finishes in the Tampa Bay Stakes (G3T) and then the Fort Marcy Stakes (G2T).

A son of Dubawi, he is owned by Sanford Goldfarb and Samuel Abraham.

Olympico, a 5-year-old Rajsaman gelding, was second in last year's Knickerbocker for Brown and owners Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, and Bethlehem Stables, losing by a length. Sidelined for more than nine months after that, the grade 3 winner was fifth in both 2020 starts, including the Lure in his last start.

Phipps Stables' Breaking the Rules was the 8-5 favorite in the 1 1/16-mile Lure, but lacked a stretch kick and settled for fourth in the field of five. A homebred son of War Front , the 5-year-old entered the Lure off allowance optional claiming wins in his two other 2020 starts for trainer Shug McGaughey.

Entering the fray is Juddmonte Farms' 4-year-old ridgling Seismic Wave. A homebred son of Tapit  trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, he was sixth in the Bernard Baruch Handicap (G2T) in his last start and a game second before that in the mile Poker Stakes (G3T).

With Seismic Wave entered in the Keeneland November Sale as part of the WinStar Farm consignment, the Knickerbocker could be his final start in Juddmonte colors.

"I think for his style of running, a racetrack like Belmont is going to suit him better to get the trip he needs," said Juddmonte general manager Garrett O'Rourke. "It's a spot worthy of taking a shot in. He's a sound horse. He's been a fun horse to have around. Horses like him are good to have around because they're reliable and usually perform really well. He's entered in the Keeneland November Sale, so we'll see how he runs and take it from there."

Also among the starters is Waterford Stable's En Wye Cee. A 4-year-old son of Declaration of War trained by Todd Pletcher, his lone turf start was a third, beaten by a head and a neck, in an Aug. 1 allowance optional claimer which served as his first start in eight months.

Because of the pint-sized field, the Knickerbocker will be the third race Sunday, with post time at 1:28 p.m. 

Coverage of the 10-race card, which starts at 12:20 p.m., will be presented on "America's Day at the Races" through the FOX Sports and MSG networks.