Bird is the word

It came as no surprise when I saw Summer Bird charge to the lead in the 165th running of the Belmon Stakes. He was my second choice behind Charitable Man, and luckily I had a few saver bets on him that kept me from losing on the whole on Saturday. Most of my bets were variations of 6/2,4,7. Unfortunately I had the right horses, but in the wrong order.

Summer Bird showed us all that he had big things in his future when he finished a close third in the Arkansas Derby. He wasn’t quite ready for the Kentucky Derby, but still finished a hard charging sixth. Everything came together for him in the Belmont Stakes. I am happy to see a small trainer like Tim Ice win a classic race. I was also glad to see Kent Desormeaux get the Belmont “monkey” off his back. He has won the Kentucky Derby 3 times, the Preakness twice, and now the Belmont once.

Summer Bird is likely headed for either the Breeders Cup Classic or the Breeders Cup Turf. Trainer Tim Ice said the key will be to keep him fresh. I think either race will suit him well, but I’d like to find out how he handles synthetic dirt first if he opts for the Classic.

Dunkirk and Charitable Man finished second and fourth respectively. Both are targeting the Travers later this summer. From what I have gathered, Dunkirk is likely to head to the Jim Dandy first. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin listed both the Jim Dandy and Hashell Invitational as possible next starts.

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird will have two more starts before a run in the Breeders Cup Classic according to trainer Chip Woolley. He wants to keep him against three-year-olds until then. While this is a viable strategy I would try and get a race against older competition before throwing him in the deep end at Santa Anita. Regardless of what happens from here on out, he has already cemented his place in the history books. This years Triple Crown was unlike any in recent memory, and I can’t wait for next year. I’m already counting the days.