O'Brien contender Seahenge raises Belmont 2018 field to 11

Trainer Aidan O’Brien, who took a shot in the Kentucky Derby with Mendelssohn, plans to enter a European-based stablemate for the 2018 Belmont Stakes, too.

New York Racing Association Stakes Coordinator Andrew Byrnes said Friday that Seahenge is considered probable to run in the June 9 race.

“He’s always been planning to run,” Byrnes said. “I don’t know why people didn’t pick up on it.”

Well, consider our list of Belmont Stakes contenders current now with 10 rivals scheduled to challenge Triple Crown hopeful Justify next weekend in New York.

A 12th entry remains possible from another European horse, Bandua. The son of The Factor is unbeaten in his two starts and trained by Dermot Weld, who won the 1990 Belmont with Go and Go.

“He’s owned by Calumet, who also has Bravazo,” Byrnes said. “So they’re going to converse over the weekend and make a decision.”

Seahenge is, as with Justify and Mendelssohn, a Kentucky-bred son of Scat Daddy. Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier purchased him for $750,000 as a yearling, and he has gone on to face Europe’s best.

Last out, Seahenge ran seventh on the Kentucky Derby undercard in a sloppy renewal of the Pat Day Mile (G3) going one turn. Two starts back, Seahenge ran fifth in the UAE Derby (G2) won in a romp my Mendelssohn. He was also third behind stablemates Mendelssohn and Threeandfourpence in the Patton Stakes to open his 3-year-old campaign in Ireland.

Going back to his juvenile season, Seahenge also ran in the Racing Post Trophy Stakes won by Saxon Warrior, who’s the favorite for Saturday’s Epsom Derby.

Byrnes said Seahenge is scheduled to arrive at Belmont Park on Tuesday.