by Kim ThomasSUMMER BIRD will race with blinkers in Saturday’s Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, and it’s just as well. He apparently ‘thought he should have won’ the Derby, according to his trainer, Tim Ice, when he finished in sixth place, beating 13 of his 18 competitors. Bless his big ol' chestnut heart - he's a handsome boy, this SUMMER BIRD is.
SUMMER BIRD grabbed third place in the Arkansas Derby (Grade II) and may be a good bet if you like exactas or trifectas…and who doesn’t? His papa, BIRDSTONE won the 2004 Belmont, much to the chagrin of those who longed to see SMARTY JONES win the triple crown. SUMMER BIRD's mare, producer HONG KONG SQUALL is the daughter of SUMMER SQUALL, who came in second in the Derby and then went on to win the Preakness in 1990 by 2 ½ lengths over arch rival UNBRIDLED.
Since the Belmont has only 10 horses on the card, perhaps the son of BIRDSTONE -- who is having quite the year as sire of MINE THAT BIRD as well – will please everyone by passing all other nine fellow runners this time around and bring home the carnations. (That just doesn’t sound as poetic as bringing home the garland of roses, does it? Sorry.)
At any rate, he hasn’t
raced since May 2’s Derby, and let’s face it, he ought to be properly rested and ready to win! The buzz this week is that all that R&R seems to have paid off, as SUMMER BIRD’s owners are hopeful that he will break from the starting gate with the same fervor he had during his workout this week. His trainer, Tim Ice, is pleased that his post position is in the 4th slot versus his 13th spot in the Derby lineup. With Kent Desormeaux aboard, hopes are high that he’ll find the winners circle at the end of the day, blinkers and all.
Oh, and by the way, all horses will carry 126 pounds, bless their hearts, for their mile-and-a-half trip around for the longest and oldest stakes race in America, the Belmont Stakes, a/k/a the Test of Champions.
At any rate, he hasn’t
raced since May 2’s Derby, and let’s face it, he ought to be properly rested and ready to win! The buzz this week is that all that R&R seems to have paid off, as SUMMER BIRD’s owners are hopeful that he will break from the starting gate with the same fervor he had during his workout this week. His trainer, Tim Ice, is pleased that his post position is in the 4th slot versus his 13th spot in the Derby lineup. With Kent Desormeaux aboard, hopes are high that he’ll find the winners circle at the end of the day, blinkers and all.Oh, and by the way, all horses will carry 126 pounds, bless their hearts, for their mile-and-a-half trip around for the longest and oldest stakes race in America, the Belmont Stakes, a/k/a the Test of Champions.
Pray for peace, y’all,
Kimmy
Kimmy
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