5th-BEL, $75K, MSW, 2yo, 6fT, post time 3:07 p.m. ET
The halfway point in Belmont's Wednesday card is this intriguing turf sprint for 2-year-olds. THE PRESIDENCY (War Front) will headline the first time starters for trainer Jimmy Jerkins. This bay is out of Tempo West (Rahy), who has produced this colt's full-brothers, MGISW Declaration of War, who took the G1 Juddmonte International S. and G1 Queen Anne S. in England, and MGSW War Correspondent. His half brother, Vertiformer (Dynaformer), was a stakes winner in France and MGSP in the United States. The Presidency's second dam, Tempo (Gone West) is responsible for MGISW and successful second crop sire Union Rags (Dixie Union), who captured the 2012 GI Belmont S.
This event also includes a pair by unfamiliar international sires. Dabirsim (Fr) (Hat Trick {Jpn}) will be represented by Namarunu (Ger),the second runner from his freshman crop to race in the United States. The first, Africa (Fr), ran sixth over the local course in the GIII Miss Grillo S. Oct. 1. He has already produced a graded stakes winner with Different League, who took the G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot and was third in the G1 Juddmonte International S. Dabirism (Fr) was a MGISW in France and named European and French 2-Year-Old Champion in 2011.
Grandmas Favorite (Denman {Aus}) is by a sire whose name has only just appeared in United States entries earlier this year. Denman (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) was a MGSW in Australia, who banked $1,044,319, highlighted by the G1 Toohey's New Golden Rose S. He has had six runners in the States including three juveniles winners.
7th-KEE, $67K, Alw, 2yo, 1mT, post time: 4:24 p.m. ET
'TDN Rising Star' RERIDE (Candy Ride {Arg}) makes his return and will stretch out with a switch to the turf Wednesday at Keeneland. The bay colt exits a dazzling performance in his debut, scoring by 6 1/2 lengths under a hand ride going 4 1/2 furlongs over the Churchill Downs main track June 8. He has had a steady work tab since the beginning of September, including a strong four furlong breeze in :47 4/5 (6/68) Oct. 20 under the Twin Spires.
Mr. Recio (Scat Daddy) was an impressive winner in the first run of his career on the Churchill grass Sept. 24. The $160,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase overcame a bad start, steadily moved up along the backstretch before going wide into the far turn and got up in the final stages to post a half-length victory. His dam, Kiss Mine (A.P. Indy), was a MSW and MGSP on the grass.
Gunny Roo (Scat Daddy) will run as a first-time gelding after going wire-to-wire in his debut July 27 at Delaware Park. There were four next-out winners in that event including runner-up Archaggelos (Temple City), who won the GIII Grey S. over the Woodbine Tapeta track two starts later.
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