Uncle Sigh to Face New York-Breds in Mike Lee
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After coming up short in the first jewel of the Triple Crown, Uncle Sigh will try his luck against nine other New York-bred 3-year-olds when he starts in the first leg of the Big Apple Triple, the Mike Lee Stakes May 31 at Belmont Park.
In his previous start, Wounded Warrior Stables and Anthony Robertson's Uncle Sigh led the 19-horse Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) field through a half-mile in :47.37 before fading to 14th in the 1 1/4-mile classic at Churchill Downs. On Saturday, the New York-bred son of Indian Charlie will start in a restricted stakes for the first time—after four straight graded races—and cut back in distance to seven furlongs.
Trained by GaryContessa, Uncle Sigh built a nice rivalry with Samraat this year, finishing a close second to his fellow state-bred in both the Withers and Gotham stakes (both gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack. Uncle Sigh then finished off the board in the TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) and the Derby.
The Mike Lee is the first event in the Big Apple Triple, a three-race series for New York-bred 3-year-olds that also includes the New York Derby July 12 at Finger Lakes, and the $250,000 Albany Stakes Aug. 24 at Saratoga Race Course.
The Mike Lee is one of six stakes races for New York-breds scheduled on Saturday at Belmont as part of Big Apple Showcase Day.
Also on Saturday's card is the $200,000 Commentator Handicap for state-bred 3-year-olds and older, where Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence's Readtheprospectus will try to defend his title.
Last year Readtheprospectus rallied from fourth early to register a clear victory in the one-mile race. The Read the Footnotes gelding will be making his debut as a 5-year-old; he has not raced since finishing off the board in the Empire Classic Oct. 19 at Belmont.
Entering this year's Commentator on a high note is Zivo, who boasts four straight victories at Aqueduct including a pair of restricted stakes wins.
$125,000 Mike Lee Stakes (race 5, approximate post time 3:28 p.m. EDT) NY-bred, 3YO, Seven Furlongs
PP, Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Empire Dreams (NY), J. Velazquez, 118, T. Albertrani
2. Uncle Sigh (NY), J. Rosario, 116, G. Contessa
3. Eye Luv Lulu (NY), I Ortiz Jr., 120, C. Martin
4. Double Gold (NY), A. Lezcano, 116, L. Miranda
5. Deceived (NY), R. Maragh, 118, L. Gyarmati
6. John's Island (NY), A. Arroyo, 118, J. Jerkens
7. Swell (NY), C. DeCarlo, 116, P. Pugh
8. Freddie G (NY), M. Luzzi, 118, M. Hushion
9. Loki's Vengeance (NY), M. Franco, 122, M. Hushion
10. Captain Serious (NY), J. Ortiz, 118, M. Hushion
$200,000 Commentator Handicap (race 9, approximate post time 5:42 p.m. EDT) NY-bred, 3YO&Up, One Mile
PP, Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Prohibition (NY), F. Pennington, 115, C. Lynch
2. Moneyinyour Pocket (NY), J. Velazquez, 117, C. Baker
3. Big Business (NY), C. Velasquez, 118, D. Jacobson
4. Smooth Bert (NY), M. Luzzi, 116, L. Gyarmati
5. Zivo (NY), J. Ortiz, 123, C. Brown
6. Awesome Vision (NY), L. Saez, 120, T Albertrani
7. Readtheprospectus (NY), J. Alvarado, 121, C. Brown
8. Comandante (NY), I. Ortiz Jr., 120, T. Pletcher
9. Weekend Hideaway (NY), J. Lezcano, 118, P. Serpe
10. Pinball (NY), J. Rosario, 116, W. Mott
11. Bernardo (NY), M. Franco, 114, J. Toscano Jr.
12. This Hard Land (NY), A. Arroyo, 115, R. Ubillo
13. Crafty Dreamer (NY) , R. Maragh, 115, J. Iselin