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Pierrot Lunaire back for Grand National title defense The country's most lucrative steeplechase event, the Grade 1, $250,000 Grand National, at Far Hills, New Jersey, has attracted a field of 11 for Saturday's renewal over 2 5/8 miles, including last year's divisional champion Pierrot Lunaire. Unraced since taking the 2012 Grand National by three-quarters of a length over returning foe Divine Fortune, Pierrot Lunaire has not always performed his best at this locale. The nine-year-old War Chant gelding was a well-beaten fifth in the 2009 Grand National and a sluggish sixth in 2011 after a slow start, but cemented a championship in the race last season, which came on the heels of an upset score in the Lonesome Glory at Belmont Park. Looking to enhance their Eclipse Award credentials are several of the season's other major-race winners: New York Turf Writers Cup scorer Italian Wedding, Lonesome Glory winner Gustavian, and Iroquois victor Demonstrative. All Together seeks his first stakes win of the year after finishing runner-up in the New York Turf Writers Cup and the Lonesome Glory, the latter by a nose. Meanwhile, Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard saddles four, including the Saratoga novice stakes winners Barnstorming and Martini Brother. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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