Blended Citizen

Trainer: Doug O’Neill Owner: Greg Hall and SAYJAY Racing LLC Jockey: Kyle Frey Record: 10-3-0-2

STRENGTHS: Sharp colt showed his affinity for this surface with a rallying victory in the Peter Pan, the local prep for the Belmont Stakes. Versatile son of Proud Citizen has won on turf, Polytrack, and dirt, boasts an improving Beyer Speed Figure pattern, and might be fresher than some of the 3-year-olds that have been through the Kentucky Derby and Preakness wars. His half-brother, Lookin At Lee, finished second in last year’s Kentucky Derby, so there is hope that he’ll stay the trip.

WEAKNESSES: His biggest career wins have come on synthetic and over wet dirt against questionable fields, and he’ll be really tested for class against the likes of Justify. While his Beyers are moving the right way, it’s worth noting that his career-best speed figure of 90 is seven points lower than Justify’s worst number. After 10 starts, one must wonder how much improvement Blended Citizen has left in the tank. A confirmed closer, Blended Citizen will likely need some pace help in the Belmont. There may not be any burners to help soften up pace factor – and horse to beat – Justify.

BETTING VALUE: When last tested against top 3-year-olds, Blended Citizen was 25-1 in the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes, a race that produced Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic. Considering his good form and recent Belmont graded stakes victory, odds of 15-1 seem like fair win value. – Dan Illman

SIRE: Proud Citizen, who died in 2016, could sire route winners, as evidenced by his pair of Kentucky Oaks heroines, Proud Spell (2008) and Believe You Can (2012). Champion Proud Spell went on to win the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes at 1 1/4 miles.

DAM: Langara Lass, a multiple stakes winner at distances from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles, produced stakes winners Lookin At Lee, last year’s Kentucky Derby runner-up, and Battlefield Angel, who finished third in the Grade 1 Alcibiades Stakes. Langara Lass is a half- or full sister to three stakes winners, including her Grade 3-winning full sister Madeira Park. Proud Spell also is out of a Langfuhr mare, and the broodmare sire’s other performers have included Florida Derby winner Materiality and Grade 2 winner and Kentucky Oaks runner-up My Miss Sophia.

OUTLOOK: Blended Citizen is bred for a route on the dirt. The long-striding colt has already shown that he appreciates Belmont Park’s sweeping turns and layout. – Nicole Russo