Off since a poor showing in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, 2009 UAE Derby (G2) winner Regal Ransom returns trackside on Saturday in the Suburban Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park. Regal Ransom was unplaced in the 2009 Kentucky Derby (G1) but returned victorious following that race in the Super Derby (G2) at Louisiana Downs before the Breeders’ Cup performance.
A field of seven were drawn for the nine-furlong test after several last minute defections. Assigned 118 pounds, Regal Ransom is the second-highweight in the field with former Kentucky Derby morning-line favorite I Want Revenge at 119 pounds. Injured the morning of the race, I Want Revenge has not been sent postward since a win at Aqueduct in the Wood Memorial (G1) in April 2009. His owners have entered longshot Pictural as a pacesetter so as to not allow an easy lead for typical front-running Regal Ransom.
Godolphin was last successful in the Suburban on one previous occasion when E Dubai landed the spoils in 2002.
One Comment
Regal Ransom ran very well winning the 2009 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. He’s the only horse that’s yet to defeat 2010 Stephen Foster Handicap winner, Blame, on conventional dirt. As Regal Ransom defeated Blame by about 1-1/2 lengths in the race. He’ll likely be race favorite for the 2010 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park. But he may have some very serious competition in the race. I Want Revenge is making his first start since having to scratch due to injury on the morning of the 2009 Kentucky Derby as race favorite. Before being injured, I Want Revenge had ran 2nd to Pioneer of the Nile in the 08′ Cash Call Futurity Stakes, and 3rd to Pioneer of the Nile in the 09′ Robert Lewis Stakes on the pro-ride surface at Santa Anita. He then shipped east to Aqueduct. Where he really took to the conventional dirt fabulously. Winning the 09′ Gotham Stakes and the 09′ Wood Memorial. Even after dwelting out of the starting gate, I Want Revenge caught and passed the entire Wood Memorial field. If he comes into the race still as sound as he was racing as a 3yr.old in 2009? Regal Ransom will more than have his hand’s full in the race. IMO.