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| Staff Writer |
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Heart Of Honor will launch his Belmont Stakes bid from the widest draw after being allocated stall eight for the Group One contest at Saratoga. The Jamie Osborne-trained colt faces a significant challenge from the outside berth as he seeks Classic glory following his disappointing Preakness Stakes effort.
The British raider entirely missed the break at Pimlico before staying on to finish fifth, a performance that left connections determined to improve their preparation for this assignment. Saffie Osborne retains the ride on the 4YO, who has remained in America since his previous Classic attempt.
Osborne believes the extended American base has benefited his charge significantly. "This has been an easier preparation for him than he had into the Preakness," he explained. "Basically, because he hasn't been moving from strange stable to stable on a lorry or on an airplane. He has had a bit of time to settle in at Saratoga, and I think that is going to be beneficial."
The trainer acknowledges his runner's gate work remains a concern despite extensive schooling sessions. "We've been doing a fair bit of gate work, and he'll be doing more between now and Saturday. We are not expecting him to break from the gate first. It is probable he will break from the gate in the second half of the field, but as long as he doesn't give them the same head start, he gave them."
Preakness winner Journalism occupies stall seven, seeking to reverse his Kentucky Derby defeat to Sovereignty, who breaks from stall two. Hill Road, formerly trained by Adrian Murray before joining Chad Brown, starts from stall one having finished third in the Breeders' Cup.