Bolo brings turf game to Belmont Derby

Bolo has posted convincing wins from his last three turf attempts  (Benoit Photo)

Bolo (Temple City) traveled outside of California two months earlier,
weakening to 12th in the Kentucky Derby (G1), an unsurprising outcome given he’s
never won on a dirt track. His best form is on turf, with the Carla Gaines
trainee rebounding to easily capture a May 29 allowance in his first turf
performance since December, and the stakes-winning colt is eligible to make a
major impact shipping in for Saturday’s $1.25 million
Belmont
Derby Invitational (G1), one of six graded stakes on a strong Independence Day program.

A 2 3/4-length maiden winner on Del Mar’s turf in late November, Bolo
followed with a smashing 4 1/2-length decision in the grassy Eddie Logan at
Santa Anita a month later. That led connections to try the main track and the
dark bay sophomore earned a Kentucky berth with a pair of third-place efforts in
the San Felipe (G3) and Santa Anita Derby (G1), stalling his development as a
turf specialist. He’s back on course presently, rolling to a 2 3/4-length
decision in the aforementioned 1 1/8-mile turf allowance last time, and
Saturday’s 1 1/4-mile trip looks like no impediment given his stout bloodlines.

Divisidero has never run a poor race from four career starts (NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography)

Divisidero (Kitten’s Joy) looms as a formidable opponent, following a fine
tally in the American Turf (G2) at Churchill Downs with a neck decision in the
May 30 Pennine Ridge at Belmont Park. The late runner has captured three of
four career starts for trainer Buff Bradley, the only setback being a troubled
third in the Palm Beach (G3) at Gulfstream, and regular rider Rafael Hernandez
will be up.

Takeover Target (Harlan’s Holiday) just missed in second when making his
stakes bow in the Pennine Ridge and is eligible to keep improving for trainer
Chad Brown. Irad Ortiz Jr. sticks with the stalker, who has made all three
career outings on Belmont’s turf. Brown will also send out the Grade 2-winning
juvenile Startup Nation (Temple City), who finished a respectable third when
making his three-year-old debut in the Pennine Ridge. John Velazquez rides.

Force the Pass (Speightstown) will attempt to carry his winning form forward
from the May 30 Penn Mile (G3) for Alan Goldberg and Joel Rosario will be back
aboard the chestnut. Granny’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) missed by less than a length
in the third after closing boldly in the Penn Mile, sustaining his first setback
in his third career outing, and the bay colt will attempt to rebound in his
second stakes appearance for Mike Maker. Julien Leparoux has the call.