Code West officially out of Belmont; Vyjack settles in

Code West won’t have an opportunity to emulate his sire Lemon Drop Kid, the 1999 Belmont winner (Hodges Photography)

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert officially withdrew Code West from Belmont
Stakes consideration on Friday, according to published reports. The news was
hardly surprising, considering that the son of Lemon Drop Kid had been iffy to
advance to the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

Jockey Rosie Napravnik, who had ridden Code West to a 6 3/4-length romp in a
Preakness Day allowance, is now free to take over the mount on the filly
Unlimited Budget. Her trainer Todd Pletcher could have as many as five Belmont
runners. His trio of Revolutionary, Palace Malice and Overanalyze are all
definite starters, while Unlimited Budget is probable and Midnight Taboo is
possible.

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez shipped Vyjack to Belmont Park Friday morning from his
base at Aqueduct and said the gelding will remain at Belmont as he trains up to
a possible start in the June 8 classic.

“He was looking around a little bit, more than I wanted, but it was his first
day at Belmont,” Rodriguez said.

After winning the Gotham in March, Vyjack was third in the Wood Memorial at
Aqueduct and 18th in the Kentucky Derby. 

Vyjack is increasingly likely to line up (Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography)

“We’re still hoping that maybe they won’t run Orb,” Rodriguez said. “That’s
pretty much what we’re waiting for.”

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin explained why Incognito will get his chance in the
Belmont. The son of 1992 Belmont winner A.P. Indy and multiple Grade 1 winner
Octave was most recently fifth, beaten less than a half-length for third, in the
Peter Pan on May 11.

“Mainly, he wants the distance,” McLaughlin said. “It’s a big step up in
class, but the 1 1/2 miles is a big factor if you can’t get it.

“We’ll take a page out of our ex-boss’s (D. Wayne Lukas) book from the
Preakness,” the trainer noted, alluding to Oxbow’s rebounding from a sixth in
the Derby to upset the Preakness.

“We feel he deserves a chance.”

Incognito put together back-to-back victories at Aqueduct in a maiden race
and an optional claimer, both at a mile, before checking in 15 lengths behind
Freedom Child, who won the Peter Pan by 13 1/4 lengths.