Palace Malice Cuts Back for Diablo

After a minor setback, multiple grade I winner Palace Malice will make his 2015 debut in the $100,000 Diablo Stakes May 10 at Belmont Park, as trainer Todd Pletcher attempts to keep him on a five-race schedule planned to culminate in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).

The 2013 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner and winner of last year's Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I)—which is coming up again as a goal for Palace Malice June 6—missed the one-mile Westchester Stakes (gr. III) May 2 against 2014 Belmont winner Tonalist due to a bruise in his right front foot. 

NOVAK: Palace Malice Out of Westchester With Bruise

The 5-year-old son of Curlin   quickly returned to training, however, and is entered for the six-furlong Diablo where he will break from post 6 in a field of eight under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez.

It will be the first start for Palace Malice since a sixth in the Aug. 2 Whitney Stakes (gr. I), after which he went to the sidelines because of bone bruising, and his first start sprinting since his 2-year-old season, when he broke his maiden going 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga Race Course. He is campaigned by Dogwood Stable and Three Chimneys Farm and is expected to stand at Three Chimneys near Lexington upon retirement.

BLOOD-HORSE STAFF: Recovered Palace Malice Returns to Training

Palace Malice shares co-highweight assignment of 124 pounds with New York-bred Palace, a grade I winner who has earned his greatest victories sprinting for owner Antonino Miuccio.

Trained by Linda Rice, the 6-year-old City Zip   runner looks to return to winning ways after running fifth in his season debut, the April 4 Carter Handicap (gr. I). Last year he took the Forego Stakes and Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, both grade I. Cornelio Velasquez rides from post 2.

Multiple grade III winner Clearly Now completes the field along with starter stakes winner Doubledown Again and allowance winners Classic Salsa, Stallwalkin' Dude, Piquant, and Tenango.