Paradise Farms and David Staudacher's grade 1-placed New York-bred The Wine Steward is under consideration for both the 10-furlong $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1) and the seven-furlong $500,000 Woody Stephens (G1), both slated for June 8 at Saratoga Race Course.
Trained by Mike Maker, the son of 2019 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Vino Rosso was last seen finishing a close second to Belmont Stakes contender Antiquarian in the Peter Pan (G3) May 11 at Belmont at the Big A.
The Wine Steward has finished second in each of his last three outings, including in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) in October at Keeneland, and in the Lexington (G3) to kick off his sophomore campaign in April over the same course.
The Wine Steward had his first work since the Peter Pan May 25 at Churchill Downs, covering a half-mile in :48.
"I was there and he worked pretty easy and looked good," said Staudacher. "Mike is going to have to decide on which race in the next week or so. We're still undecided. He had a couple tough races, so we've got to make sure he bounces back right."
The Wine Steward graduated on debut sprinting five furlongs last May at Belmont Park ahead of an open-company stakes win in the six-furlong Bashford Manor at Ellis Park. He followed with a head triumph over multiple graded stakes-placed El Grande O in the state-bred Funny Cide sprinting six furlongs at Saratoga en route to his two-turn debut in the 1 1/16-mile Breeders' Futurity.
"It depends on the trip, but I think he can get it (the distance) -- he's bred to get it and should be able to," Staudacher said regarding the 10-furlong Belmont Stakes distance. "I think he likes the track up there, so we'll see what Mike decides to do. We just have to see how the horse is doing. He's a really nice horse and we don't want to rush him. We'd love to be in the Belmont, so we have our fingers crossed."
In addition to The Wine Steward, Paradise Farms and Staudacher are also considering graded stakes-winner Sugoi and graded stakes-placed Really Good for either the 1 3/16-mile, $1 million Manhattan (G1T) or the two-mile $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup (G2T), which will be a "Golden Ticket" event offering the winner an automatic berth into the AUS$8.4 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1).
"It will just depend on who goes where," said Staudacher.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
