Stewart knocking on Belmont Stakes 2017 door with Hollywood Handsome
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Dallas Stewart has been training horses since 1985 and his charges have earned checks in excess of $37 million. Although he's been second with longshots twice in the Kentucky Derby and in the Preakness, he's fared no better than fourth (Dollar Bill, 2001) in the Belmont.
This year he's knocking on the door with longshot Hollywood Handsome, who steps all the way up from an allowance win against older horses last out.
"He shipped in good, he trained hard and he's eating good, so we'll see. He came back good from that race, so we're going to give it a shot and it's great to have this shot. Why not?" he said.
While an assistant to Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, Stewart often savored the sweet taste of Triple Crown success.
"When I worked for Wayne, we won six Triple Crown races in a row with three different horses [Tabasco Cat, Thunder Gulch and Editor's Note]. Now I'm just trying to get my first one," he said.
Hollywood Handsome is owned by Mark and Nancy Stanley, who have been in the game for many years and are seeking their first Classic victory as well. The couple has sent horses to Stewart "off and on" during the years, although Hollywood Handsome is their only runner in his care now.
"I've got just this one for them. He's just the right one," said Stewart, who believes the son of Tapizar has the goods to get it done Saturday.
"It takes a very hard, strategic horse with stamina to win this race. It's got to set up right," he said. "I'm ready for it. It's one of the three races we think about all year. It starts with these three. Now let's go get it."
Source: NYRA Communications
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