Medal Count added to Belmont Stakes

Medal Count could find the 1 1/2-mile distance to his liking (Rickelle Nelson/Horsephotos.com) Spendthrift Farm announced Tuesday that Medal Count will be pointed toward the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 7. “We are excited that not only will we have our champion Beholder in the G1 Ogden Phipps but Medal Count will point to the Belmont Stakes,” the post read on Spendthrift’s facebook page. The Dale Romans-trained colt exits a troubled eighth in the Kentucky Derby, being bumped and steadied in traffic during the stretch run. A bay son of Dynaformer, Medal Count is out of an Unbridled’s Song mare and appears well-suited for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes distance with his pedigree.

The sophomore has proven to be a multi-surface threat, breaking his maiden
last year on dirt and opening 2014 with a dead-heat allowance/optional claiming
win on turf. Medal Count recorded his lone stakes victory, the Grade 3
Transylvania in early April, on Keeneland’s Polytrack and came back a week later
to post an excellent second in the Grade 1 Blue Grass over the same oval.

It could prove to be a memorable afternoon for Spendthrift Farm, who already has
their star distaffer, Beholder, confirmed for the $1 million Ogden Phipps on the
undercard. Named champion two-year-old filly and champion three-year-old filly
the past two seasons, Beholder is set to square off against Princess of Sylmar
and Close Hatches in what promises to a terrific renewal of the 1 1/16-mile
race.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com