Promises Fulfilled Seeks Rebound in John A. Nerud
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Promises Fulfilled trains at Meydan prior to his start in the Dubai Golden Shaheen
Robert Baron's multiple graded stakes winner Promises Fulfilled will look to add to his already extensive résumé when he takes on a field of eight other horses in the $300,000 John A. Nerud Stakes (G2) July 6 at Belmont Park.
A Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" race for the Nov. 2 TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita Park, the John A. Nerud is one of five stakes races Saturday at Belmont during the Stars & Stripes Racing Festival, which includes the $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) and $750,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T).
The Stars & Stripes festival will be part of a live national broadcast on NBC from 4-6 p.m ET.
A 4-year-old son of Shackleford , Promises Fulfilled showed promise as a sophomore on the 2018 Kentucky Derby trail, winning the Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park before going on to compete in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs, where he finished 15th.
Subsequently cutting back in distance, the Dale Romans trainee finished third in the seven-furlong Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun (G2) at Belmont before winning three consecutive stakes races: the Amsterdam Stakes (G3) and H. Allen Jerkens Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, and the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.
Promises Fulfilled closed his 3-year-old campaign with a fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. He returned in March to finish fourth in the Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News (G1) at Meydan ahead of a third-place finish in the May 4 Churchill Downs Stakes Presented by Twinspires.com (G1). He was fourth last out in the June 8 Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1).
"He's doing very well," said Romans. "We freshened him up a bit after last year's campaign, and he came out of his last race well. He's a young 4-year-old, and he's always been improving. Unfortunately, he happens to compete in the toughest division in America."
Romans said he is looking for Promises Fulfilled to utilize his speed in the John A. Nerud.
"I'd expect for him to be out there running," said Romans. "Close by or on the lead."
With Luis Saez aboard, Promises Fulfilled will leave from post 9.
Entering for Three Diamonds Farm after a troubled fourth-place finish in the Churchill Downs Stakes is Do Share.
A 6-year-old son of Candy Ride , Do Share was transferred to conditioner Mike Maker in May 2018. After finishing second in an allowance optional claiming race at Laurel Park in his first start for his new trainer, Do Share went on to finish fourth in the Feb. 16 General George Stakes (G3) at Laurel before winning the March 9 Tom Fool Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Maker said he is expecting a good performance from Do Share, who was bumped at the gate last out, with new rider Tyler Gaffalione aboard.
"He's continued to train forwardly for this race," said Maker. "Hopefully, we can get a lot of pace for him to run into as I think he will appreciate that. I think Tyler will get along with him well. Hopefully, we will have a good trip."
Do Share will depart from post 7.
Trainer Jeremiah Englehart entered Pat On the Back for owners Harold Lerner, AWC Stables, and Nehoc Stables. A 5-year-old New York-bred son of Congrats , Pat On the Back will make his first start facing graded stakes company since finishing fifth in the Dec. 1 Cigar Mile Handicap Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) at the Big A. Since then, he has reeled off back-to-back victories facing fellow New York-breds in the April 16 Affirmed Success Stakes at six furlongs and the May 27 Commentator Stakes at one mile, both at Belmont.
Pat On the Back, who has five wins from 10 starts at Belmont and one win from four starts at the distance, will leave from post 8 with Dylan Davis aboard.
Entered for trainer Linda Rice and owners Everything's Cricket Racing and Lawrence Goichman is Nicodemus. The 4-year-old son of Candy Ride was transferred to Rice in July 2018 and finished second in the nine-furlong Curlin Stakes for his new conditioner.
Nicodemus made his season debut with a fourth-place finish in an allowance race at Aqueduct in February and went on to win the same condition in March before running fourth in the April 6 Excelsior Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct.
In May, Nicodemus registered a career-best 101 Beyer Speed Figure when he won the Westchester Stakes (G3) at Belmont. In his most recent start, he finished fourth in the June 7 True North Stakes (G2).
Returning to the seven-furlong distance where he is 1-for-1, Nicodemus will leave from post 4 with Jose Ortiz aboard.
Belmont Park, Saturday, July 06, 2019, Race 8Entries: John A. Nerud S. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Majestic Dunhill (KY)
Manuel Franco
114
George Weaver
15/1
2
2New York Central (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
120
Steven M. Asmussen
8/1
3
3Warrior's Club (KY)
Joel Rosario
120
D. Wayne Lukas
10/1
4
4Nicodemus (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
120
Linda Rice
6/1
5
5Killybegs Captain (KY)
Eric Cancel
116
John P. Terranova II
15/1
6
6Bon Raison (KY)
Joey R. Martinez
118
Carlos F. Martin
15/1
7
7Do Share (KY)
Tyler Gaffalione
120
Michael J. Maker
7/2
8
8Pat On the Back (NY)
Dylan Davis
118
Jeremiah C. Englehart
4/1
9
9Promises Fulfilled (KY)
Luis Saez
124
Dale L. Romans
2/1
