The Belmont undercard featured two races dedicated to speedsters. Some of the best older horses in the country, including last year’s champion sprinter, will head postward in the True North at six furlongs.
1. Benny the Bull (Lucky Lionel-Comet Cat, by Birdonthewire): Defending Eclipse Award champion sprinter is making his 2009 debut after suffering a potentially career-ending injury last summer. He won last year’s True North, as well as the De Francis Dash and Dubai Golden Shaheen en route to his title while earning over $2.2 million. Highweight at 120 pounds.
2. Silver Edition (Silver Deputy-Sincerely, by Meadowlake): Wayne Lukas sends out this busy horse, who was fourth in the Churchill Downs Stakes on Derby Day and second in the Maryland Sprint Handicap on the Preakness undercard.
3. Two Step Salsa (Petionville-Two To Waltz, by Seattle Slew): Making his first start since winning the Goldolphin Mile in March. This multiple stakeswinner in California was third in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
4. Sixthirteen (Dixie Union-Mandy’s Classic, by Sky Classic): Last win came in an allowance/optional claimer last September; he was second in similar company last time out.
5. Desert Key (E Dubai-Storm Key, by Storm Cat): Was second in the grade I King’s Bishop last summer at Saratoga, then second in the Gallant Bob. Was laid off from September until early May, when he was also second in his comeback, an allowance/optional claimer.
6. Fabulous Strike (Smart Strike-Fabulous Find, by Lost Code): Grade I winner has had his career interrupted multiple times due to injury, but when he’s sound, boy can he run. Took last year’s grade I Vosburgh, then was second in both his starts this year, the General George and the grade I Carter Handicap. He’s weighted just a pound behind Benny The Bull.
[...] two Eclipse Award winners, and countless other grade I winners and globetrotting superstars. Race 6: Grade II True North Handicap: Benny The Bull, last year’s champion sprinter, returns to take on a group of talented older [...]