Mark Stanley's Hollywood Handsome (Tapizar) has been added to the GI Belmont S. lineup, according to trainer Dallas Stewart Sunday.
“I'm so excited to get this horse to the Belmont,” Stewart said. “We originally toyed with the idea of keeping him at Churchill prior to the [May 6, GI] Kentucky Derby to see if we could sneak in with 10 points. We eventually decided to run in the [Apr. 22, GIII] Illinois Derby and forego the Kentucky Derby.”
Hollywood Handsome, fifth in the Illinois Derby, returned to score in an allowance at Churchill Downs May 14.
“In hindsight it wouldn't have worked out with the [Kentucky] Derby,” Stewart said. “I'm glad we got back to the winner's circle the other week in the allowance race.”
In his latest breeze in advance of the Belmont, Hollywood Handsome covered five furlongs in 1:00.60 at his homebase of Churchill Downs. Jockey Florent Geroux, who was aboard for the bay's latest victory, is expected to be back aboard Saturday.
Posting his final major move before the Belmont, Kentucky Derby runner-up Lookin At Lee (Lookin At Lucky) breezed a half-mile in :48.33 on Belmont's main track Sunday.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Lookin At Lee's four-furlong move was the eighth-fastest of 51 at the distance.
“He came back great and I thought it went perfect,” said Toby Sheets, assistant to Asmussen. “He seems to really like Belmont. We got great weather this morning, so that always helps.”
According to Sheets, the L and N Racing representative, who finished fourth last out in the May 20 GI Preakness, is scheduled to paddock school Thursday.
Epicharis (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}) made his first appearance on Belmont's main track Sunday morning since arriving in the U.S. Under regular rider Masa Aki, the colt galloped 1 ½ miles before heading to the paddock to school, while still under tack. With trainer Kiyoshi Hagiwara overseeing final preparations, the colt was led back through the tunnel and stood for almost a minute before returning to the barn. Epicharis is expected to school at the starting gate Monday morning.
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