By Joe Bianca
While most eyes will be on Churchill Downs, a high-quality field in the GIII Fort Marcy S. that includes several top returnees is set to contest nine furlongs over the Belmont turf. Morning line favoritism lies with one of last year's breakout grass runners, Ironicus (Distorted Humor), who will be making his first start in exactly eight months. Very impressive in winning the GII Dixie S. at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard last May, the gray Stuart S. Janney III homebred later captured the GII Bernard Baruch H. at Saratoga and just missed when second in the GII Fourstardave H. there despite having to rally from well off a slow pace.
Returning to the site of his signature win, Colts Neck Stables' homebred Force the Pass (Speightstown) will try to get back on track after suffering a tough beat when third last out in the GIII Appleton S. at Gulfstream Apr. 2. The chestnut dominated the inaugural running of the GI Belmont Derby by 3 3/4 lengths over this course July 4. He shows a pair of bullet works at his owners' private farm, but will have to deal with the outside draw and likely some moisture in the ground.
“I'm not crazy about the weather,” trainer Alan Goldberg said. “There's concerns about the turf and drawing the outside post, but there's nothing you can do about it. This field has some of the best turf horses in the country. It's a really splendid field.”
Gestut Brummerhof's Messi (Ger) (New Approach {Ire}) goes out for the first time since finishing fifth in the GIII River City H. at Churchill Downs Nov. 26. The 6-year-old gelding took the GIII Knickerbocker S. by a nose over course and distance Oct. 10. Twin Creeks Racing Stables' Red Rifle (Giant's Causeway), last year's GII Bowling Green H. hero and GI Sword Dancer S. runner-up at Saratoga, will try to regain his form after three consecutive off-the-board efforts.
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