Zito-trained Brave Victory and Miner's Escape Have Good Chance in Belmont

by Kim Thomas

Both of Robert V. LaPenta’s pair of BRAVE VICTORY and MINER’s ESCAPE have bravely escaped my blog until now, moments just before the Belmont. Sorry about that, but folks, all I need to say here is: never ever count out an entry trained by a racing legend.

"I was very happy with everything,” said Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito of Brave Victory, who will be ridden by Maragh in the Belmont, and Miner’s Escape, who will have Jose Lezcano up. “I wanted them to go even. They both went great, and they’re ready to go.”

(Barbarro, at left)

BRAVE VICTORY, third in the Grade 2 Peter Pan here, and MINER'S ESCAPE, who won the Frederico Tesio on May 9 at Pimlico, represent Zito's 21st and 22nd Belmont starters. Zito's horses have won the Belmont twice: Birdstone (2004) and Da’ Tara (2008).