Trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. could be a tough opponent in
several upcoming graded stakes races for 3-year-olds here in New York.
“We’re going to the one-mile race on Belmont Day [the Grade
1 Acorn on Saturday, June 5] with Amen Hallelujah,” Dutrow said of the
Grade 2 Santa Ynez and Grade 2 Davona Dale winner. Sixth in the 1 1/8th-mile
Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks last time out, the daughter of Montbrook breezed six
furlongs in 1:14.82 today at Aqueduct.
Four-time graded stakes winner D’Funnybone, who
joined Amen Hallelujah on the worktab today with 1:14.50 breeze at the Big A,
will also cut back in distance and make his next start on the Belmont Stakes
Day undercard, Dutrow said. Fourth as the heavy favorite in the Grade 3 Withers
in his most recent outing, the Paul Pompa, Jr. colorbearer will try to return
to the win column when he competes in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens, which will be
contested at seven furlongs.
Dutrow added that Acting Happy, heroine of the Grade
2 Black-Eyed Susan a week ago, will make her next start in the Grade 1 Coaching
Club American Oaks on July 24, Opening Saturday at Saratoga.
Plans are undetermined for the 2009 Grade 1 Wood Memorial
winner I Want Revenge, who has posted three published workouts since
joining Dutrow’s barn earlier this spring, and Yawanna Twist, a gritty
fourth in last Saturday’s Grade 1 Preakness.