The Meadow Brook Stakes (Grade 1), June 5, Results
Review to follow
1. Trebizond (IRE) (Tom Foley)
2. Blasphemous (Dianna Gillam)
3. Mr Perkolater (Michael Traurig)
4. Hotspur (Matt McCarron)
5. Coal Dust (Cyril Murphy)
6. Understood (Chip Miller)
7. Sham Aciss (Gus Brown)
Fighting Star (Robert Massey) DNF
Naughty Prince (Dave Bentley) DNF
Preemptive Strike (Robby Walsh) DNF
Senor Melchor (Jody Petty) DNF

The Meadow Brook Stakes, Grade 1 Novice
Belmont Park, NY, Thursday, June 5

PP, Horse, Jockey, Trainer
1. Naughty Prince, Dave Bentley, Ricky Hendricks
He made his stakes debut a winner at Block House (me in the saddle), and then was second in the first leg of this series, the steeplechase triple crown (to Trebizond). He had his prep at Fair Hill on the flat for this race and was second to Imperial Gold. Dave Bentley is back in the saddle for this (Will Mann subbing at Fair Hill). He should be close at the finish, with a big weight allowance.

2. Sham Aciss, Gus Brown, Jack Fisher
Sham Aciss broke his maiden (sport of kings) at Radnor with Gus Brown. This is a big step up, may be another time.

3. Understood, Chip Miller, Richard Valentine
On his day, he is a seriously good horse, he was also a high performance flat horse. He won a stake at the Atlanta, GA, meet and then finished second at the Iroquois (behind Feeling So Pretty). He seems to run better with time between races, so this race should set up quite well.

4. Trebizond, Tom Foley, Kathy Nielson
He won the first leg of this series (under Rob Massey). He typically runs one big race a year, but lets see if he can make it two. When he is right, he is clearly dangerous. Coming off a Fair Hill flat race prep with Foley in the irons.

5. Preemptive Strike, Robby Walsh, Paul Rowland
He is coming off a nice allowance win at Radnor. He was unlucky in the first leg of this series, being hampered early by a faller (Major Hero). He is a supreme jumper, his win at Radnor creates some stable confidence and the horse looks in great form.

6. Senor Melchor, Jody Petty, Sanna Hendricks
This horse is three for three, a maiden and two allowance races. This is a step up, but he clearly looks ready for the task. He has an unusual style of running, and if there is a lot of early pace, look for this one to keep running at the finish. Petty returns to look for a four timer here.

7. Fighting Star, Robert Massey, Janet Elliot
He has done nothing wrong this year, winning an allowance at Atlantic City, beating decent horses. He finished a good third in the first leg of this series. Robert Massey is now in the irons, and he should be close.

8. Hotspur, Matt McCarron, Jonathan Sheppard
This was a nice horse last year, and formely from the Todd Pletcher stable on the flat. His form this year has been disappointing. If he returns top his old form, he may run close.

9. Mr. Perkolator, Michael Traurig, Kathy Nielson
He was second behind Preemptive Strike at Radnor. He looked like a nice horse last year, and he has done nothing wrong this year barring a fall in a stake at Atlanta. Surely a nice horse, but is he ready for this assignment ?

10. Coal Dust, Cyril Murphy, Tom Voss
A tough year for this team, is this horse ready to turn the tables ?

11. Blasphemous, Dianna Gillam, Jeremy Gillam
He won at Middleburg in the soft ground. This looks a tough step up for him.

The Meadow Brook will be the ninth race of the day on Thursday, and will be run at a distance of 2 1/2 miles over 12 fences.

Picks:
Understood, Fighting Star and Naughty Prince for the Box Trifecta.
The Carwood Longshot: Preemptive Strike