Horse racing betting

ELMONT, N Y Continued wet weather in the New York metropolitan area has left the final serious works of several contenders for the 141st running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 6 up in the air.

Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smiths Dunkirk and Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warrens Charitable Man, who were both scheduled to breeze Saturday morning, may instead have their final moves at Belmont Park on Sunday.

Right now, Dunkirk is likely to breeze on Sunday after the break, said trainer Todd Pletcher of the gray son of Unbridleds Song, 11th in the Kentucky Derby. That may change depending on the condition of the track, but Sunday will be fine. John Velazquez will be aboard.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Charitable Man, winner of the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes, might wait until Sunday or even Monday to breeze.

We always leave a window of a day or so, said McLaughlin, adding: In 2006, it rained for two weeks leading up to the Belmont Stakes and the day Jazil was supposed to breeze, the track was sloppy, and I walked out on the track and said, You know what? Hes fit. He doesnt need to work. So he doesnt work the week leading up to the race, and he wins.

As well, Robert V. LaPentas duo of Miners Escape, winner of the Frederico Tesio, and Brave Victory, third in the Peter Pan, will work for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito either Saturday or Sunday, depending on the weather.

Summer Bird, sixth in the Derby, will have his final work on Saturday as scheduled, said trainer Tim Ice.

As long as the track is safe, hell go after the break, said Ice. Kent Desormeaux will be aboard.

Chocolate Candy, Flying Private, Luv Gov, Mine That Bird, Mr. Hot Stuff, and possibly Rachel Alexandra are also being pointed toward the 11/2-mile Test of the Champion. Nowhere to Hide, also trained by Zito, is questionable.

Grade 1 Florida Derby winner Quality Road, who came off the Triple Crown trail with a right front quarter crack sustained before the Kentucky Derby, has resumed training, said trainer Jimmy Jerkens.

The bay son of Elusive Quality, owned and bred by Edward P. Evans, galloped Thursday and Friday morning after having the quarter crack patched on Tuesday.

He seemed glad to get out, said Jerkens of Quality Road, who had been confined to walking the shedrow for several weeks. He went to the track yesterday and today he galloped in my fathers (Hall of Famer Allen Jerkens) barn.

As for his next start, I have no thoughts, he said. I couldnt begin to tell you.

Jerkens will be saddling a pair of horses on Belmont Stakes Day, sending last years Grade 2 Matron winner Doremifasollatido in the Grade 1, $300,000 Acorn Stakes at a mile and Centennial Farms Desert Key in the Grade 2, $250,000 True North Handicap at six furlongs.

Doremifasollatido, owned by Susan Moore and M and M Thoroughbred Partners, finished second in her 2009 debut in her first start since undergoing surgery to repair an ankle chip sustained during her 10th place finish in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Shes grown a bit from two to three, said Jerkens of Doremifasollatido, voted New York-bred champion 2-year-old filly of 2008. When I saw her in Ocala right after she had surgery, she was pretty thin, but she did very well down there.

Be Fair, Devotee, Dream Play, Funny Moon, Just Jenda and Justwhistledixie are likely to contest the Acorn as well.

First or second in seven of his eight lifetime starts, Desert Key was runner-up in his 4-year-old bow, finishing second by a neck in an optional claimer at Belmont Park on May 6.

Hes had a race under his belt, said Jerkens. He should be tough.

Discos Son, Fabulous Strike, Kodiak Kowboy, Per Incanto, Silver Edition and Sixthirteen are also being pointed toward the True North.

Premium Gold, who snapped a five-race losing streak with a big effort in his first start on turf, will be making a bigger step up in class when he starts in the Grade 1, $600,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap at a mile and a half on Belmont Stakes Day.

Owned and trained by John Kimmel, the strapping chestnut son of Mineshaft worked five furlongs in a bullet 1:00.47 on Thursday in preparation for the Manhattan.

Hell go as long as the turf is firm, said Kimmel of the 4-year-old ridgling. I looked around for a place to run him long on turf. He won comfortably his first time on turf, and had a bullet work under (jockey) Edgar Prado, and I hope Edgar sticks with him.

Premium Gold won two of his 11 starts at age three last year, and this year owns a third-place finish in an off-the-turf event at Keeneland in addition to his victory in an optional claimer at Belmont Park on May 14.

Hes kind of a temperamental sort, said Kimmel. You cant push, him, you have to let him do what he wants to do. Hes well-bred, big and strong and Ive been waiting for him to show the quality hes shown in the mornings.

Better Talk Now, Court Vision, Cowboy Cal, Gio Ponti, Grand Couturier (GB), Interpatation, and Lauro (GER) are likely for the Manhattan.