The second of two sprint stakes on the undercard features several familiar faces, as 3-year-olds who find the Belmont’s 12 furlongs a little beyond their scope instead tangle in the seven furlong Woody Stephens.
1. This Ones for Phil (Untuttable-Heaven’s Gate, by Septieme Ciel): Was briefly considered a Kentucky Derby candidate after he wired the Sunshine Millions Dash, but connections wisely chose to keep him sprinting after he finished up the track in the Fountain of Youth. He won the Swale by disqualification and then was second in the Withers to the highly regarded Mr. Fantasy last time out.
2. Gone Astray (Dixie Union-Illicit, by Mr. Prospector): Phipps Stable entrant was first and second in a pair of allowance races this spring, then finished third in the Withers behind Mr. Fantasy and This Ones For Phil.
3. Munnings (Speightstown-La Comete, by Holy Bull): $1.7 million purchase was highly regarded as a juvenile after his second-place finish in the Champagne here, but finished up the track in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. In his first start this year, he was second in a seven furlong allowance to the classy Warrior’s Reward on May 1.
4. Regal Ransom (Distorted Humor-Kelli’s Ransom, by Red Ransom): When last seen, he was near the Kentucky Derby pace into the stretch before fading. Winner of the UAE Derby comes into this a fresh horse and is much better at shorter distances.
5. Triumphant Flight (Chullo-Jetinwith Kennedy, by Kennedy Road): Cal-bred won the San Miguel at six furlongs and was second in the Snow Chief.
6. Hello Broadway (Broken Vow-Nightstorm, bty Storm Cat): Talented half-brother to grade I winner Nobiz Like Shobiz won an allowance and then finished fourth in the Peter Pan behind Belmont second choice Charitable Man. Will be interesting to see how he does shortening up; he wore blinkers last time out and was very aggressive early.
7. Kensei (Mr. Greeley-Private Feeling, by Belong To Me): Won an allowance and then was second in the Derby Trial.
8. Everyday Heroes (Awesome Again-Lucette, by Dayjur): Won the Hirsch Jacobs on Preakness day to push his record to a perfect 4-for-4 lifetime. He’s still shown some immaturity, as he drifted out badly in the stretch there.
9. Hull (Holy Bull-Band Queen, by Chimes Band): Undefeated winner of the Derby Trial skipped the Preakness specifically because his connections didn’t want to tangle with Rachel Alexandra. He’s 3-for-3 and this is probably right around his best distance.
[...] and Breeders’ Cup winner Forever Together headlines a field of female turf runners. Race 8: Grade II Woody Stephens Stakes: Many familiar faces who found the Triple Crown races a bit too long for them appear in this field [...]