Racing: Weather casts doubt over Deputy Glitters

NEW YORK - Trainer Tom Albertrani said he would withdraw Deputy Glitters from the Belmont Stakes on Saturday (Sunday, NZT) if the track turned sloppy with rain forecast over the next 48 hours.

Albertrani issued the warning after Deputy Glitters, who has performed poorly on heavy tracks in two races, drew nine for the third leg of US racing's Triple Crown.

"We've been looking at the weather all the time. If it becomes sloppy then we will take him out," he said.

Asked if there was a deadline, Albertrani said: "We will wait until the last minute. I think we have until 45 minutes before the race. The weather is expected to be clearing and we hope it will be dry." Deputy Glitters has become more popular with punters since jockey Edgar Prado, who won the Kentucky Derby on Barbaro, replaced Jose Lezcano. Prado became available after Barbaro was badly injured in the Preakness Stakes.

"We're very fortunate to have him, he is one of the top riders and we feel very comfortable with him on our horse," said Albertrani.

Bluegrass Cat, the Derby runner-up and early favourite for the Belmont, drew nine while stablemate Sunriver, who has been listed as third favourite, has the ideal second position.

Sunriver missed the Derby because he did not win enough earnings to make the final field, but this did not bother trainer Todd Pletcher.

"I never cried when he didn't get into the Derby," he said. "The horse was doing very well and I thought he had a chance to be competitive. Watching the race he probably wasn't going to beat Barbaro, so maybe it was the best thing for him."

Steppenwolfer, who is likely to challenge Bluegrass Cat for favouritism, drew 11 in the 12-horse field, but this did not concern trainer Dan Peitz.

"The post is not that big a deal over 1 1/2 even though we would have preferred a little inside," said Peitz.

If the draw produced an omen for the Belmont, then it is the three position for Hemingway's Key, who is owned by New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

After the draw, trainer Nick Zito said: "I like three, it is my lucky number, it is a good spot to break from and it is the number of Babe Ruth."

- REUTERS