Seymourdini steps up in quality in Bold Ruler Handicap

 

The exciting Seymourdini looks to graduate to graded stakes company in the seven-furlong Bold Ruler Handicap (G3) at Belmont Park Oct. 28 against a group of high quality and resilient sprinters.

Seymourdini (Bernardini), a $900,000 purchase at the 2015 OBS April sale, has won five of his nine starts. His only attempt at graded stakes company came when finishing seventh behind Tom’s Ready, a race rival Saturday, in the 2016 Woody Stephens Stakes (G2).

This year’s he’s had three starts and won them by a combined 36 ¼ lengths: two allowance victories at Laurel Park, and a 10 ½-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile State Dinner Stakes at Belmont Park July 3. He steps back to seven furlongs here but he’s shown great speed to date this year.

Divining Rod, Tom’s Ready, and Tommy Macho – second, third, and fourth, respectively, behind Sharp Azteca in the one-mile Kelso Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park Sept. 23, all return to seven furlongs, and should provide good competition.

Veteran Stallwalkin’ Dude comes into the race after finishing third in the Vosburgh Handicap (G1) Sept. 30 behind Breeders’ Cup Sprint hopeful Takaful. Vosburgh sixth-place finisher Mr. Crow also starts.

Many of the others also have grade one form. They include Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) runner-up Awesome Banner, who’s been unlucky not to add to his graded stakes victories this year; Forego Stakes (G1) fifth-place finisher Tale of S’avall, and the out-of-form Carter Handicap (G1) winner Green Gratto, who seems to save his best for Aqueduct.

Ready for Rye, a graded stakes winner two years ago who returns to dirt after two turf starts, and two-time allowance winner Beasley complete the field.