NEW YORK (AP) Irish War Cry and Hollywood Handsome have joined a probable 12-horse field for the Belmont Stakes, which is still shaping up with a week to go until the last leg of the Triple Crown.
Trainer Graham Motion said Sunday that Wood Memorial winner Irish War Cry will make his next start in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont on June 10. The colt finished 10th in the Kentucky Derby after prompting a fast pace and didn't run in the Preakness.
Hollywood Handsome will make his Triple Crown debut in the Belmont. The colt finished fifth in the Illinois Derby and won an allowance race at his home base of Churchill Downs three weeks later. Trained by Dallas Stewart, Hollywood Handsome is already at Belmont Park, where he completed his last serious workout on Friday.
Joining them as probable starters in the $1.5 million race are: Classic Empire, Japan-based Epicharis, J Boys Echo, Lookin At Lee, Meantime, Multiplier, Patch, Senior Investment, Tapwrit and Twisted Tom.
Trainer John Shirreffs said Sunday he has a spot on a New York-bound plane booked for Santa Anita Derby winner Gormley, but no decision has yet been made whether the Southern California-based horse will run.
