Carried Interest, a
half-length winner of a deep 2-year-old maiden special weight on Thursday at Belmont Park, is likely to make his second start
in either the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on August 12 or the Grade 2 Three
Chimneys Hopeful on September 3, trainer Rick Violette said.
“We’ll see how he comes out of this race and follow his
lead,” added Violette.
In Thursday’s race, Carried Interest raced up front in tandem
with Sayaad for three furlongs, took over when that rival began to tire at the
quarter pole, and held sway after Palace Malice drew along side in midstretch.
The final time of 56.62 for five furlongs was 0.87 seconds off the
track record set by Kelly Kip in 1996.
“I knew he had a shot to win, but he wasn’t prepped to run
the race of his life today,” said Violette. “He was prepped to do
what he did today, but if somebody was going to run faster than us they were
going to run faster than us.”
Violette trains Carried Interest for Klaravich Stables and William H.
Lawrence, who purchased the Henny Hughes colt for $190,000 at OBS March Sale of
Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training.
“He was a very fast colt, very smart,” said Violette.
“We knew he’d be quick but we think he can stretch out a little
bit. I don’t think he’ll be a stone-cold sprinter. He has a good
mind and has been a pro throughout. [Palace Malice] is a nice horse, also. He
came to us twice, and we said ‘no.’ Hopefully we’re not just
the head of the class and his talent will carry him forward to next year as
well.”
Trainer Todd Pletcher said he was pleased with Palace Malice’s performance.
“We just ran into a quicker horse,” said Pletcher, who
trains the son of Curlin for Dogwood Stable. “We think our horse will
improve when he stretches out, and we hope that will be the case. He got behind
horses, and had to make some room for himself at the top of the stretch. We
were very encouraged.”
Pletcher said he will find a maiden special weight at Saratoga for Palace Malice’s next
start.
“We’re not going to do anything too cute,” said
Pletcher.
Pletcher added that Mill House’s Dr. Chit, a 3 ¾-length winner of the Western Larla overnight
stakes on Thursday, will be considered for the Grade 2 Amsterdam on July 29 at Saratoga.