The field for the $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1) lost a possible starter as Juddmonte Farms general manager Garrett O'Rourke said Batten Down would most likely be pointed toward the June 22 Ohio Derby (G3) instead of the June 8 final leg of the Triple Crown at Saratoga Race Course.
A homebred son of Tapit , the Juddmonte 3-year-old is coming off a 1 1/4-mile maiden special weight victory April 30 at Churchill Downs. It gave him a record of a win, a second, and a third in four starts for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who has breezed him twice at Saratoga.
WOW 🤩
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) April 30, 2024
What an impressive victory in race 4 by Batten Down and jockey Junior Alvarado! The @JuddmonteFarms homebred is a son of super-sire Tapit and champion race mare Close Hatches. pic.twitter.com/qGKSayYnVo
"I don't think there is a lot of appetite for the Belmont," O'Rourke said May 29. "It's a deep race. I'd prefer some baby steps."
The $500,000 Ohio Derby will be contested at 1 1/8 miles at Thistledown.
Post positions for the Belmont Stakes will be drawn June 3.
