Carried Interest likely for either Saratoga Special or Hopeful off maiden win

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Carried Interest, a half-length winner of a deep two-year-old maiden special weight on Thursday at Belmont Park, is likely to make his second start in either the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on August 12 or the Grade 2 Hopeful on September 3, according to trainer Rick Violette.

"We'll see how he comes out of this race and follow his lead," Violette said.

In Thursday's race, Carried Interest raced up front in tandem with Sayaad for three furlongs, took over when that rival began to tire at the quarter-pole, and held sway after Palace Malice drew along side in midstretch. The final time of :56.62 for five furlongs was :00.87 off the track record set by Kelly Kip in 1996.

"I knew he had a shot to win, but he wasn't prepped to run the race of his life today," Violette said. "He was prepped to do what he did today, but if somebody was going to run faster than us they were going to run faster than us."

Violette trains Carried Interest for Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence, who purchased the chestnut colt for $190,000 at the OBS March Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training.

"He was a very fast colt, very smart," Violette remarked. "We knew he'd be quick but we think he can stretch out a little bit. I don't think he'll be a stone-cold sprinter. He has a good mind and has been a pro throughout. (Palace Malice) is a nice horse, also. He came to us twice, and we said 'no.' Hopefully we're not just the head of the class and his talent will carry him forward to next year as well."

Trainer Todd Pletcher said he was pleased with Palace Malice's performance.

"We just ran into a quicker horse," said Pletcher, who trains the son of Curlin for Dogwood Stable. "We think our horse will improve when he stretches out, and we hope that will be the case. He got behind horses, and had to make some room for himself at the top of the stretch. We were very encouraged."

Pletcher said he will find a maiden special weight at Saratoga for Palace Malice's next start.

"We're not going to do anything too cute," the trainer stated.

Pletcher added that Mill House's Dr. Chit, a 3 3/4-length winner of the Western Larla overnight stakes on Thursday, will be considered for the Grade 2 Amsterdam on July 29 at Saratoga.

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