Legend of Time (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a tiring fifth as the favorite while making his U.S debut in the GII American Turf S. on the GI Kentucky Derby undercard, could go favored again while facing six rivals as Memorial Day weekend kicks off with Saturday's GII Pennine Ridge S. at the Belmont at the Big A meeting.
The Godolphin colorbearer won four of his five previous starts overseas, including three straight earlier this season at Meydan.
“It was a big learning curve in that first race at Churchill, but he shipped up to Saratoga and settled in here at Greentree really nicely,” Charlie Appleby's traveling assistant Chris Connett said.
“He's really settled into a nice rhythm here and we're very happy with the way he's going into the race.”
Trainer Chad Brown will saddle a pair of last-out maiden winners, the rail-drawn White Palomino (Kitten's Joy) and Risk Tolerance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). The former delivered going 1 3/16 miles at second asking at Keeneland Apr. 6 while the latter scored on debut at the Big A Apr. 21.
Triple Espresso (Omaha Beach) returns to grass for Todd Pletcher following a fourth-place finish in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Mar. 23. He finished just a head behind the third-place finisher that day Seize the Grey (Arrogate), who captured last weekend's GI Preakness S.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
