Rowayton jumping to stakes company in Belmont's Dwyer

Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has a small but strong string currently stabled at Belmont Park with assistant trainer Don Chatlos overseeing operations.

One standout for the group in particular has been Larry Best's Rowayton, who earned a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure in a winning Belmont debut last out in the OXO Equine silks. At age 2, the Into Mischief bay also finished second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and third in the American Pharoah (G1), with both Santa Anita races won by champion Game Winner.

Chatlos said Rowayton is pointing to the Grade 3, $250,000 Dwyer Stakes slated for Saturday, July 6 as part of the Stars & Stripes Racing Festival.

"He's doing really good. We're hoping to work him on Sunday," said Chatlos. "I don't have 100 percent confirmation from Larry or Jerry, but more than likely that's the spot."

Code of Honor, placed second in the Kentucky Derby, will be the likely Dwyer favorite going a one-turn mile.

Kanthaka, a multiple graded stakes winner for owner West Point Thoroughbreds, breezed impressively at Belmont on June 9 and was slated to stretch out in last Sunday's Grade 3 Poker, but incurred a minor setback with a likely return to racing in the fall.

"Unfortunately, we had to stop on him," said Chatlos. "It was just a minor thing, so he'll get a break for 60 days and will be back."

OXO Equine's promising 2-year-old Vegas Strong, purchased for $850,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale, continues to train well towards his Saratoga debut.

"We've got a couple works into him and he's doing well. Once we get a couple more babies in here and we can put him in company it will go along a lot quicker," said Chatlos. "We've been fortunate to work him with a 2-year-old in Chad Summers' barn and that's helped us a lot."

Chatlos also noted that the graded stakes placed Sneaking Out, although nominated to the Mother Goose, is not likely to ship to New York.