Promise Me Silver Aimed for Belmont Return

Robert Luttrell's homebred Promise Me Silver, whose nine-race unbeaten streak was lost earlier this month in the Acorn Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park, returned to the work tab June 21 with a half-mile breeze in :49 at Churchill Downs.

 

The move was the Texas-bred daughter of Silver City  's first breeze since finishing 10th as the 7-2 second choice in the mile Acorn June 6. That race marked her grade I debut and first start beyond seven furlongs.

 

Jockey Robby Albarado was in the irons for the 3-year-old filly's drill for trainer Bret Calhoun, who was in Texas for the weekend overseeing his string at Lone Star Park.

 

"She went good and she felt great," Albarado said following the work that ranked 36th of 115 at the distance.

 

Albarado was not aboard Promise Me Silver for the Acorn, as he had already committed to riding Shook Up, second in this year's Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), who was eased and vanned off the track in that race.

 

"The last time she ran, they both had awful trips," Albarado said.

 

Calhoun also blamed Promise Me Silver's most recent effort on the bad trip.

 

"She broke real bad and had to rush from sixth to first," Calhoun said. "I think you can throw that race out. We broke fast way too early."

 

Calhoun confirmed Promise Me Silver's next start would come in the $150,000 Victory Ride (gr. III) July 4 at Belmont, where she will be shortening up to 6 1/2 furlongs. Prior to the Acorn, Promise Me Silver won the seven-furlong Eight Belles (gr. III) May 1 at Churchill.

 

"Going back into this upcoming race, we feel very confident," Albarado said. "I do for sure, after the work this morning, it was really nice. She came back good."