Decorated Invader bringing major talent to Pennine Ridge

ELMONT, N.Y. – Gio Ponti, a seven-time Grade 1 winner who earned more than $5 million, is the most accomplished horse trainer Christophe Clement has trained. So when he mentions Decorated Invader in the same breath as Gio Ponti, it’s worth noting.

Before Decorated Invader stretches out to longer distances later this year, he will make his fourth straight start at a mile in Saturday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Pennine Ridge Stakes at Belmont Park.

“He’s like the really good ones,” Clement said of Decorated

Invader. “He’s like Gio Ponti. I don’t think distance is that big a factor when you’re that good. He’s got a very good turn of foot. I’m not worried a mile to a mile and a quarter.”

Decorated Invader won the Grade 1 Summer last fall at Woodbine and the Cutler Bay in March at Gulfstream, both times displaying a strong turn of foot. In between, he finished a troubled fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.

Clement believes the configuration of Belmont Park’s turf courses – the Pennine Ridge will be run on the Widener – will be beneficial to Decorated

Invader, who will be ridden Saturday by Joel Rosario.

“This might be a better track for him, bigger turns, wider turns,” Clement said. “It’s a mile. Joel can do whatever he wants.”

Decorated Invader, who breaks from the rail, should have a pace to close into with Vanzzy, Proven Strategies, and perhaps Maroon Maniac vying for the lead.

Proven Strategies was fourth to Decorated Invader in the Summer and less than a halflength behind him when he finished sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. This year, he won a pair of Florida-bred races before finishing second to Gufo – a stablemate of Decorated Invader – in the English Channel Stakes at Gulfstream on May 30.

“He was late getting out to California for the Breeders’ Cup and got beat only two lengths, and he is a better horse now than he was then,” trainer Mark Casse said of Proven Strategies. “The problem is, so are the others. It’s not going to be easy.”

Jose Ortiz rides Proven Strategies from post 3.

Venezuelan Hug is 2 for 2 since being claimed by Danny Gargan, but takes a step up in class in this spot.

Vanzzy makes his turf debut but is a two-time stakes winner over synthetic. Mr. Kringle and Famished complete the field.

The Pennine Ridge will go as race 4.

Wonder Again Stakes

While Sharing makes a bid for Royal Ascot glory Saturday, two of the fillies she defeated in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf square off in Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Wonder Again Stakes going a mile at Belmont.

Sweet Melania and Selflessly finished third and fifth in the Breeders’ Cup and make their first start since in the Wonder Again.

Sweet Melania was most impressive winning the Grade 2 Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland last October at Keeneland and had a quick turnaround into the Breeders’ Cup, yet still ran well.

In the Jessamine, Sweet Melania was on the pace, and she could be the primary speed here Saturday under Jose Ortiz.

“She’s capable of being there if it’s easy, capable of sitting off if needed,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains Sweet Melania for Robert and Lawana Low. “I’m glad this was at a mile. It’s a good starting point.”

Selflessly won the Grade 2 Miss Grillo over this course last fall and had a difficult trip from post 13 in the Breeders’ Cup. Trainer Chad Brown said he likes the way Selflessly has developed over the winter.

“I think she’s really matured a lot coming into this year. I really like what I see,” said Brown, who trains Selflessly for Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables. “For this particular horse, I’ve been looking to run her about a mile off the break. That’s why I chose this race.”

Antoinette, trained by Bill Mott for Godolphin Racing, returns to the turf after running third in a pair of dirt stakes this year. She won a maiden race on turf here last October.

Speaktomeofsummer is 2 for 2 on turf, including a win at 17-1 in the Chelsey Flower at Aqueduct last November for trainer Christophe Clement. She has worked well for her return and gets Lasix for the first time.

Highland Glory won the Sanibel Island at Gulfstream and was a troubled second in the Honey Ryder Stakes at Gulfstream on May 2. Manny Franco rides for Barclay Tagg.

The Wonder Again goes as race 6.