Viola Jasko/Coglianese Photo

Disco Partner headlines Belmont Turf Sprint

by Najja Thompson

Set to make his first start at Belmont Park since setting the world record for six furlongs on the inner turf in the Grade 3 Jaipur last June, Disco Partner will headline a field of five in Saturday's Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational.

Carded as Race 3, the Belmont Turf Sprint is one of four stakes races on the day highlighted by the Grade 1, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup along with the Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne and Grade 3, $500,000 Hill Prince. 

A 5-year-old home-bred for owner Patricia Generazio transferred to trainer Christophe Clement following his 2016 campaign, Disco Partner kicked off his year by winning the Elusive Quality on April 29 at Belmont. He then followed up with his impressive showing in the Jaipur where he set the world record for six furlongs in 1:05.67 before stretching out to a mile to win the Forbidden Apple on July 15. Last out, in the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga Race Course, he ran on a yielding turf course to finish sixth racing six-wide. Returning to Belmont where he has six wins from 10 starts with two second-place finishes, Clement is looking forward to a better performance.

"He's doing great and I'm excited to see him run," said Clement. "His last race was obviously disappointing. We had soft turf with a passing storm right before the race. I think he loves Belmont Park and it's exciting to run him back here."

With regular rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard, the pair will leave from post 5.

Entering for trainer Michael Trombetta and Live Oak Plantation is We Deer You. The 4-year-old gelding most recently won the Lucky Coin on September 1 at Saratoga by 1 ¾ lengths. With a victory already at Belmont on June 25 at the distance, Trombetta said he is confident heading into the race.

"He's trained very well since the Lucky Coin and I think it's been adequate time since then," said Trombetta. "I like the distance for him at three-quarters [of a mile], and expect him to run his usual race stalking the pace and making a run late."

Hall of Famer John Velazquez will be aboard as the pair departs from post 2.

Shipping in from Monmouth Park for trainer J. Willard Thompson and Quiet Winter farm is Snowday. A French-bred 7-year-old gelding, Snowday began his year winning an allowance race on June 5 at Parx. He followed that by capturing the My Frenchman on July 22 at Monmouth. Finishing a respectable third in the Grade 3 Turf Monster Stakes on September 4 at Parx, he most recently captured the Laurel Dash on September 16 at Laurel Park. 

Drawing the rail, Snowday will be ridden by Jose Ortiz.

Rounding out the field is Chalk Racing's Ready for Rye for trainer Tom Albertraini, who enters off a fifth-place finish in the Lucy Coin, and Bold Thunder, for trainer Patricia Farro and owner Andrew Sulley.