I Want Revenge Tops Suburban

After resounding victories in the Grade 3 Gotham and the Grade 1 Wood Memorial last year at Aqueduct Racetrack, I Want Revenge appeared poised on the brink of stardom as the solid favorite for the Kentucky Derby.

Only hours before the Derby, however, it was discovered he had an ankle injury, and instead, I Want Revenge became the first morning-line favorite to be scratched on the day of the race. The injury then turned out to be more serious that anyone initially suspected, and few thought I Want Revenge would ever return to the races after undergoing surgery to repair the damaged ligament in his right front ankle.

But the procedure and the subsequent months of rehabilitation have proven differently, and on Saturday, I Want Revenge will take the first step on the comeback trail in the 125th running of the Grade 2, $300,000 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park.

Although it will be the first time he’s saddled I Want Revenge in a race, trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. has seen enough in the colt’s training to be seriously impressed.

“Talent-wise, he stacks right up there as far as his training goes,” said Dutrow, who has had the Stephen Got Even colt in his barn since April. “It seems like he’s ready to run. He’s a good one, and he’s supposed to be with these kind of horses. He’s been developing the way you want a 4-year-old to develop. Every day has been a good day with him.

“He doesn’t train like he needs a race to show up,” added Dutrow, who will also saddle Pictural as part of the IEAH Stables’ entry in the Suburban, shortened from 1¼ miles to 1 1/8^th miles this year. “If he gets a little tired, that’s OK, not a big deal.”

Joe Talamo, who was aboard I Want Revenge for all three of his victories, rides from post position 4 while Pictural, with Mike Luzzi up, breaks from post position 3. The entry is 7-5 on the morning line.

In his most recent start, Centennial Farms’ Convocation ran into the top older male in training, finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap behind Quality Road. Second in the Grade 3 Westchester on Opening Day at Belmont Park, the 4-year-old Pulpit colt will be making his first start past a mile this year.

Kent Desormeaux rides Convocation, 4-1, from post position 2.

Eldaafer has been no worse than third in all six of his starts at Belmont Park, with three victories, including a maiden win, a 1 1/16^th mile allowance on May 20 and last year’s Grade 2 Brooklyn Handicap at 1½ miles. With Jose Valdivia Jr. up, the 5-year-old son of A.P. Indy will break from the rail at 10-1 on the morning line.

Rounding out the field is Unbridled Danger, who will be making the 82^nd start of his career in the Suburban.  The 7-year-old gelding, ridden by Jaime Rodriguez, is 30-1 on the morning line from post position 5.