'TDN Rising Star' Momos (Distorted Humor) will switch to grass for Sunday's GIII Futurity S. at Belmont Park, a 'Win and You're In' for the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland.
A runaway debut winner at Saratoga July 18, the $180,000 OBSMAR graduate pressed a hot pace and stayed on for third behind ultra-impressive unbeaten MGISW Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) in the GII Saratoga Special S. last time Aug. 7.
“He's been training well,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “I trained him on the grass and thought he worked well over it. I know he can handle the firm turf, not sure about softer turf. He's a fast horse. I could always bring him back on the main track.”
Momos has been cross-entered as a Main Track Only for Monday's Born to Run S. at Monmouth Park.
Only a nose separated the Wesley Ward-trained duo of Trade Deal (Fed Biz) and After Five (The Factor) on the line in a Kentucky Downs maiden special weight going 6 1/2 furlongs Sept. 10. The latter, favored at 3-1 on the Futurity morning line, rallied from seventh to complete the bottom half of the exacta on debut that day. Both earned a field-best 77 Beyer Speed Figure. Trade Deal, second in his previous start on debut at Indiana, is also entered in the Born to Run.
“First-time starters are at a big disadvantage starting there as opposed to if he had a start,” Ward said of After Five. “But he ran an incredible race and we're looking forward to him moving on and getting better from here.”
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