Brown gets stable stars ready for Stars & Stripes Festival

Trainer Chad Brown is getting his stable ready for the Stars & Stripes Festival on July 9. Both of his expected entries for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Belmont Derby worked out on Sunday morning with Camelot Kitten and Call Provision going five furlongs.

"Both of those horses went really well," Brown said.

Camelot Kitten, who is coming off back-to-back victories in graded stakes races, including the Grade 2 American Turf and the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge, breezed 1:02.40 on the inner turf.

"Hopefully he has more continued good luck with his trips," Brown said. "The last two times, he's found rail spots early, saved a lot of ground and came with a good kick. He's a quality horse but in a race of this magnitude, I'd love to get a good post and trip. But he's coming to the race in good shape."

Call Provision finished third last out in the Pennine Ridge in a quality graded stakes debut. The son of Lemon Drop Kid will now be facing a step up in class in just his third career start.

"He's a lightly raced horse and it's a lot to ask, but he acts like he'll run a mile-and-a-quarter," Brown said. "He'd appreciate a cozy trip if he can save some ground early. I'm going to see what he can do."

Brown said he was pleased with Last Waltz, who also breezed on the turf Sunday morning in preparation for the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Oaks.

Economic Model breezed four furlongs in 48.91 seconds in company with Connect on Saturday in preparation for the Grade 3, $500,000 Dwyer. The 3-year-old bay colt is coming off a 1 ½-length victory in the listed Easy Goer last out on June 11 at Belmont Park. After posting a career-best 101 Beyer Speed Figure in the win, Economic Model will now be looking for his first career graded stakes victory in three starts, including a second-place showing in the Grade 2 Swale onJanuary 30 at Gulfstream Park.

"He's had two works since [the Easy Goer]; both have been just maintenance works," Brown said. "He looks very good. We're very pleased with how the horse is doing."

Undefeated Lady Eli worked out on Sunday as she continued her recovery fromlaminitis. After winning her first six career starts, including the 2015 Grade 1 Belmont Oaks, she has not raced since July 4, 2015, but Brown said he wanted to get her some work.

"It was her first breeze back," Brown said. "I just wanted to get her out there and do something better than a gallop and she how she's moving. I was real pleased with that."

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The expected European entries for the Stars & Stripes Festival arrived at Belmont on Saturday and will be in quarantine for 36-42 hours. Trainer Aidan O'Brien, who has dispatched Deauville and Long Island Sound for the Belmont Derby and Ballydoyle and Coolmore for the Oaks, will have his contingent work on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, O'Brien assistant T.J. Comerford said.

Source: NYRA Communications