Francesca Le Donne Photo

Master Fencer training forwardly ahead of G1 Belmont

by NYRA Press Office

• Master Fencer training forwardly ahead of G1 Belmont

• Escape Clause set for rematch with Midnight Bisou in G1 Ogden Phipps

• Canessar looks to go one better in G2 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational

• Theitalianamerican headlines Friday maiden special weight tilt

• Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will feature special two-day Pick 6 

• Belmont Stakes Racing Festival probables 

Master Fencer training forwardly ahead of G1 Belmont

Katsumi Yoshizawa's homebred Master Fencer, a Japanese-bred son of Just a Way trained by Koichi Tsunoda, put in a strong training session on the Belmont Park main track on Monday morning.

Master Fencer made the 6,600 mile journey from Japan to Kentucky to compete in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, where he rallied up the rail under Julien Leparoux to finish seventh, elevated to sixth following the disqualification of Maximum Security who crossed the wire first.

The talented Master Fencer will make his next start in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 8 at Belmont Park.

He arrived in New York late Friday evening from Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky where he had trained following his Derby effort. 

Master Fencer had a strong training session on Monday morning, starting with a jog on the dirt training track ahead of a gallop on the Belmont main track.

"Today, he was still fresh. I felt that his stride has changed in a good way and it has become longer. I'm very satisfied," said training assistant Yosuke Kono via translator Mitsuoki Numamoto.

Kono said that the chestnut colt has gained good weight and conditioning during his extended stay stateside, which allows for Master Fencer to train more vigorously ahead of the 1 1/2-mile Belmont.

"Because of the shipping from Japan to Churchill Downs, it took a while [to regain strength]. He lost some weight," continued Kono via translator. "Because of that, we are trying to keep his condition, and because of the days after the Derby up until now there is plenty of time. He eats fair now and we can give him more pressure compared to before the Derby."

A start in the Belmont Stakes will make Master Fencer eligible for NYRA's $1 million bonus offered to any Japan-based winner of New York's most prestigious race.

Introduced for the 2017 Triple Crown season, the entire $1 million bonus would be awarded to the winning Japanese horse's connections in addition to the $800,000 winner's share of the purse for the last and longest leg of the Triple Crown. 

Master Fencer's presence in the Belmont Stakes will also open the race for pari-mutuel wagering in Japan. Through an agreement reached between NYRA and the Japan Racing Association (JRA), Japanese wagering on the Belmont Stakes will be conducted through a separate, non-commingled pool.

Post time for the Belmont Stakes is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 8 (7:45 a.m. JST on Sunday, June 11) and will be broadcast live on NBC.

Leparoux retains the mount on Master Fencer for the 'Test of the Champion' and he will be at Belmont on Wednesday morning to guide the colt through a five-furlong breeze on Big Sandy.

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Escape Clause set for rematch with Midnight Bisou in G1 Ogden Phipps

A game runner-up effort behind Midnight Bisou in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn convinced trainer Don Schnell to give Escape Clause another crack at her three-time Grade 1 winning multimillionaire rival in the Grade 1, $700,000 Ogden Phipps on Belmont Stakes Day, June 8.

Owned by Schnell in partnership with Barry Arnason and True North, the Manitoba-bred daughter of Going Commando raced almost exclusively in her native Canada, where she was a 15-time stakes winner, up until last fall when she won the Kathryn Crosby at Del Mar via disqualification. 

Buoyed by the Del Mar score, the connections entered Escape Clause in a string of graded races in California and were rewarded with a win in the Grade 3 La Canada at Santa Anita, three starts before her runner-up finish in the Apple Blossom.

Schnell said he relishes a return bout with Midnight Bisou in New York.

"When we heard that Midnight Bisou was going, we figured that we wanted a rematch," Schnell said. "We got hit pretty hard in the Apple Blossom, but with a clean trip I think we can beat her. Right now, she's training as good or better than she ever has."

A victory in the Ogden Phipps would provide veteran conditioner Schnell with his first Grade 1 victory. Escape Clause gave the Manitoba-based trainer his first graded stakes win in the La Canada.

"It's what everyone shoots for, probably would mean more than anything in racing," Schnell said. "We're going to sell her in Kentucky in the fall so it would probably mean more dollars in the pocket too."

Schell stated that jockey Tyler Baze will retain the mount aboard Escape Clause. 

Bred by Cam Ziprick & Arnason Farms, Escape Clause, who has banked $645,500 in her 31-race career, was purchased at the Manitoba Division of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Yearling Sale in 2015 for $3,792.

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Canessar looks to go one better in G2 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational

A strong runner-up finish in last year's edition of the Grade 2, $400,000 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational with Canessar has given trainer Arnaud Delacour the confidence to take aim at this year's edition of the two-mile turf marathon which is slated for Friday, June 7 as part of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.

The French-bred gray or roan son of Kendargent finished one length behind Call To Mind in last year's edition of the Belmont Gold Cup and has finished in the money in four of his eight career starts in the United States. 

Canessar was triumphant in his North American debut where he won the Laurel Turf Cup by 1 ¼ lengths in September 2017. 

"He's in good form," Delacour said. "He ran very well last year so we feel that he deserves another chance again this year. A mile and a half is a little short for him, so hopefully he can make account for that this year."

Owned by Guy Pariente, Canessar is out of the Barathea broodmare Candara who also produced Candarliya, a three-time Group stakes winner in France.

Other probable contenders for the Belmont Gold Cup include European invaders Amade, Mootasadir and Raa Atoll. Also likely for the two-mile event are Arklow, Epical, Focus Group, Highland Sky, Hunter O'Riley and Red Knight. 

Delacour went on to say that Lael Stables' four-time stakes winner Chalon, who won the Skipat at Pimlico last out, is likely for the Grade 3, $250,000 Bed o' Roses which also is carded for June 7. Chalon finished second in last year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Churchill Downs behind Shamrock Rose. 

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Theitalianamerican headlines Friday maiden special weight tilt 

Monty Foss and John Moirano's Theitalianamerican demonstrated a strong late kick in his May 10 debut when rallying from 12 lengths back at the half-mile call to finish second, by a head, in a five-furlong maiden sprint for New York-breds.

The Girolamo ridgling, trained by Gary Contessa, will be well backed in his return engagement at the same distance and condition in Friday's second race at Belmont Park when he headlines a field of seven.

Assistant trainer Juan Gonzales said he was impressed by Theitalianamerican's debut effort.

"After the quarter pole, he came flying and finished second by a head. He had very good speed at the end," said Gonzales.

A $30,000 purchase at the 2019 March OBS, Theitalianamerican worked four furlongs in 49.09 on Saturday over the dirt training track.

"He's more mature and fit now. He trained well and is ready for the race," said Gonzales.

Managing Risk, a Repole Stable homebred trained by Todd Pletcher, will make his debut following a winter of training at Palm Beach Downs in Florida. The Micromange colt breezed four furlongs in 49 flat on May 24 on the Saratoga dirt training track.

Pletcher will also saddle Papa King, a Mission Impazible grey purchased for $67,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga, for owner Lianna Stables. Papa King also wintered at Palm Beach Downs and recorded his most recent breeze in Florida, covering five furlongs in 1:01.85.

Sterling Racing's Bull of Bayern, a $250,000 yearling purchase at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga, debuts for trainer Rudy Rodriguez. From the first crop of 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Bayern, the gray enters off a sharp four-furlong breeze in 48.79 on the Saratoga dirt training track.

Trainer Mike Maker will saddle Turbo Drive, a first-time starter for Three Diamonds Farm, in the five-furlong maiden sprint. By Teuflesberg, Turbo Drive brought $80,000 at the 2019 March OBS and has breezed twice at Belmont including a 48.48 effort on May 15 on the dirt training track.

The intriguing maiden event will complete the early double on Friday's nine-race card from Belmont, which features a 1:30 p.m. first post.

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Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will feature special two-day Pick 6

A special two-day Pick-6 wager, with a $0.20 minimum bet featuring stakes races scheduled for Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8, concluding with the 151st running of the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, will be offered during this year's Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. 

Beginning Thursday, June 6 through Saturday June 8, the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival now in its fifth year includes 18 stakes races over three days highlighted by an unprecedented eight Grade 1 races on Belmont Stakes Day Saturday, June 8. 

Full advance wagering on the Belmont Stakes Day card will be available starting on Friday, June 7.

With a 15 percent takeout and a mandatory payout, the two-day Belmont Stakes Festival Pick 6 wager will begin on Friday and conclude on Saturday with the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes, the 'Test of the Champion' for 3-year-olds. 

In addition to the Belmont Stakes Festival Pick 6 an additional number of lucrative wagers will be offered on the wagering menu for Friday, June 7 and Saturday June 8 including:

Friday, June 7:

$500,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 begins on Race 8

Saturday, June 8:

$500,000 Guaranteed Pick 5 begins on Race 1

$500,000 Guaranteed Pick 6 beings on Race 6

$1.5 million Guaranteed Pick 4 begins on Race 8

Two-day Daily Double Guaranteed Wagers (June 7-8)

$100,000 Guaranteed New York Stakes - Runhappy Metropolitan

$300,000 Guaranteed Belmont Gold Cup - Belmont Stakes

For more information on the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, and to buy tickets, please visit http://www.belmontstakes.com.

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Belmont Stakes Racing Festival probables

Saturday, June 8: The Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets

Probable: Everfast (Dale Romans), Intrepid Heart (Todd Pletcher), Master Fencer (Koichi Tsunoda), Sir Winston (Mark Casse), Spinoff (Todd Pletcher), Tacitus (Bill Mott), Tax (Danny Gargan), War of Will (Mark Casse)

Possible: Joevia (Greg Sacco)

Saturday, June 8: The Grade 1, $1 million Manhattan

Probable: Bricks and Mortar (Chad Brown), Channel Cat (Pletcher), Channel Maker (Bill Mott), Olympico (Chad Brown), Qurbaan (Kiaran McLaughlin), Raging Bull (Chad Brown), Robert Bruce (Chad Brown)

Possible: Arklow (Brad Cox)

Saturday, June 8: The Grade 1, $1.2 million Runhappy Metropolitan

Probable: Coal Front (Todd Pletcher), Firenze Fire (Jason Servis), Mitole (Steve Asmussen), McKinzie (Bob Baffert), Pavel (Doug O'Neill) Promises Fulfilled (Dale Romans), Thunder Snow (Saeed bin Suroor)

Saturday, June 8: The Grade 1, $700,000 Ogden Phipps

Probable: Come Dancing (Carlos Martin), Electric Forest (Brown), Escape Clause (Don Schnell), Midnight Bisou (Steve Asmussen), Mopotism (Doug O'Neill), Pacific Wind (Brown)

Saturday, June 8: The Grade 1, $700,000 Acorn

Probable: Bell's the One (Neil Pessin), Cookie Dough (McLaughlin), Guarana (Chad Brown), Jeltrin (Alexis Delgado), Proud Emma (Peter Miller), Queen of Beas (Jorge Abreu), Serengeti Empress (Tom Amoss)

Saturday, June 8: The Grade 1 $700,000 Longines Just a Game

Probable: Beau Recall (Brad Cox), Bellavais (Todd Pletcher), Daddy Is a Legend (George Weaver), Environs (Chad Brown), Got Stormy (Mark Casse), Precieuse (Chad Brown), Rushing Fall (Chad Brown)

Saturday, June 8: The Grade 1, $400,000 Jaipur Invitational

Probable: Bound for Nowhere (Wesley Ward), Dirty (Jeremiah Englehart) Disco Partner (Christophe Clement), Undrafted (Wesley Ward), World of Trouble (Jason Servis) 

Saturday, June 8: The Grade 1, $400,000 Woody Stephens 

Probable: Mind Control (Greg Sacco), Wendell Fong (Jeremiah Englehart)

Possible: Mucho Gusto (Bob Baffert)

Saturday June 8: The Grade 2 $400,000 Woodford Reserve Brooklyn Invitational

Probable: Campaign (John Sadler), Marconi (Todd Pletcher), Rocketry (Jimmy Jerkens) 

Saturday, June 8: $150,000 Easy Goer

Probable: Dream Maker (Mark Casse), Last Judgement (Todd Pletcher), Nolo Contesto (John Sadler),

Possible: Mucho Gusto (Bob Baffert)

Friday, June 7: The Grade 3, $250,000 Bed o' Roses

Probable: Chalon (Arnaud Delacour), Dawn the Destroyer (Kiaran McLaughlin), Heavenhasmynikki (Bob Hess), Marley's Freedom (Bob Baffert), Mia Mischief (Steve Asmussen), Pacific Gale (John Kimmel), Separationofpowers (Chad Brown) 

Friday, June 7: The Grade 2, $600,000 New York

Probable: Competitionofideas (Chad Brown). Holy Helena (Jimmy Jerkens), Homerique (Chad Brown), Santa Monica (Chad Brown) 

Friday, June 7: Grade 2, $250,000 True North

Probable: Catalina Cruiser (John Sadler)

Possible: Nicodemus (Linda Rice), Strike Power (Mark Hennig), Whitmore (Ron Moquett)

Friday, June 7: The Grade 2, $400,000 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational

Probable: Amade (Alessandro Botti), Canessar (Delacour), Epical (Jim Cassidy), Focus Group (Chad Brown), Highland Sky (Barclay Tagg), Hunter O'Riley (Jimmy Toner), Mootsadir (Hugo Palmer), Raa Atoll (Luke Comer), Red Knight (Bill Mott)

Possible: Arklow (Brad Cox), Thomas Hobson (Willie Mullins)