Following a strong second in his first North American start, Asiatic Boy is scheduled to run in Saturday’s Suburban Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park. A field of ten were drawn on Wednesday and the field lacks a major standout while offering substantial speed, both of which should benefit the winner of the 2007 United Arab Emirates Triple Crown. Asiatic Boy was second behind Macho Again in the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs following a layoff and ship from Dubai, where he was a distant 12th in the 2009 Dubai World Cup (G1). Click below for video of the Stephen Foster Handicap.
Winner of the 2009 Godolphin Mile (G2), Two Step Salsa will be back at that same distance in Saturday’s Salvatore Mile (G3) at Monmouth Park. The race is the first American “Win & You’re In” qualifier for the 2009 Breeders’ Cup, with the winner of the Salvatore Mile earning a guaranteed spot in the starting gate for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Eight are entered for the Salvatore Mile, including likely favorite Smooth Air, second in the Met Mile (G1) at Belmont in late May. Two Step Salsa was beaten more than sixth lengths in his first start since the Godolphin Mile victory when fourth in the Tom Fool Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park.
