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After the Wire - 7/1/2012

Evan Hammonds recaps the Triple Bend Handicap, Shoemaker Mile, Iowa Oaks and Derby, and the Dwyer Stakes.

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Teeth of the Dog Holds on in Dwyer Stakes

J. W. Singer's Teeth of the Dog ran like an even-money favorite should, gamely holding off a late challenge from Fast Falcon to take the $200,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) June 30 at Belmont Park.

THS: Dwyer Stakes 2012

Evan and Pete handicap the Dwyer Stakes and Bashford Manor Stakes for the coming weekend.

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Sophomores Look to Improve Form in Dwyer

For 3-year-old runners unsuccessful on the Triple Crown trail, the $200,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park offers an opportunity to get back on track for the summer season.

Strong Hope Moves to Indiana

Multiple grade II winner to stand at Midwest Equine & Veterinary Hospital near Trafalgar, Ind. The son of Grand Slam will stand for a 2012 fee of $2,500.

Dominus an Easy Dwyer Winner

Beaten in the final jump during his stakes debut in his last start, Dominus was not to be caught this time, as he took the field wire-to-wire to win the $150,000 Dwyer (gr. II) July 2 at Belmont Park.

Adios Charlie, Dominus Face Off in Dwyer

The improving Adios Charlie will be one of the favorites to take the $150,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park, as he will meet six sophomore rivals in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Smith to Ride Drosselmeyer in Belmont

Drosselmeyer, who has been graded stakes-placed in his last two starts under Kent Desormeaux, will get a new rider for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). The colt will be ridden by Mike Smith in the third leg of the Triple Crown.

Fly Down and Game On Dude on Belmont Hunt

First graded wins for sophomore colts Fly Down and Game On Dude put them on track for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Fly Down Soars to Convincing Dwyer Victory

Nick Zito found another major contender for next month's Belmont Stakes (gr. I), as Richard Pell's Fly Down demolished six 3-year-old rivals in the $200,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) May 8 at Belmont Park.

Drosselmeyer Could Be Belmont Stakes Bound

The plan is to go in the classic if the colt runs well in the Dwyer Stakes (gr. II).

THS: Dwyer Stakes and Ky Derby Recap

Jason, Tom, and Tim Holland preview the Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park.

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Drosselmeyer Included in Dwyer Lineup

A field of seven 3-year-olds led by WinStar Farm's Drosselmeyer, was drawn for the $200,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II), which now serves as the local prep for next month's Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Kensei in Dwyer Upset; Warrior's Reward 3rd

Kensei, ridden by Edgar Prado and trained by Steve Asmussen, made a powerful move on the far turn en route to an impressive 3 1/4-length victory in the 92nd running of the grade II, $200,000 Dwyer at Belmont Park on the July 4 holiday card.

Speedy Mint Lane Spears Dwyer Rivals

Odds-on choice Mint Lane controlled the pace and was never threatened while posting a 2 3/4-length victory in the $198,500 Dwyer Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. II), tallying his first graded win for trainer James Jerkens July 6 at Belmont Park.

Improving Mint Lane Tries Dwyer

Three-year-old challengers at Belmont Park include Ready's Image, Halo Najib and Fidelio.

Any Given Saturday Retired

Any Given Saturday, who won the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) by 4 1/2 lengths, has been retired and will stand at Darley for $40,000 in 2008, it was announced Nov. 7.

Strong Contender Rolls to Victory in Dwyer

John C. Oxley's Strong Contender posted an authoritative 7 3/4-length victory in Tuesday's grade II Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park as the lightly-raced 3-year-old son of Maria's Mon won his third race in only his fifth career start.

Roman Ruler Returns to Form in Dwyer

Roman Ruler, disappointing at best in his 3-year-old season so far, could be ready to salvage the year. Under slight urging from jockey Jerry Bailey, the talented son of Fusaichi Pegasus won the $150,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park Monday by a half-length over the hard-trying Flower Alley.

Roman Ruler Adds Sparkle to Dwyer

Roman Ruler, one of the West Coast's top juveniles last season, is the likely favorite for Monday's $150,000 Dwyer (gr. II) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, one of two stakes on Belmont Park's special Independence Day racing program.

Oratory Injured, Out of Dwyer; Surgery Planned

Darley Stable's Oratory, winner of the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) and likely favorite for Monday's Dwyer Stakes (gr. II), will undergo surgery after suffering a condylar fracture in his right front leg Friday following a workout.

3-Year-Old Update: Second Season Ready to Begin

The 2005 classic season is in the books, but it took its toll, producing one of the longest casualty lists in memory. But, now it is time for the second season to get under way, and although many of the early season stars will be missing, there is still Afleet Alex and a few new stars in the making.

The Cliff's Edge Eyes Return in Dwyer

Robert LaPenta's The Cliff's Edge, winner of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland and fifth in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) despite a rough trip in his last start, is scheduled to begin his second season at Belmont Park July 11 in the $150,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.

A Jim Dandy of a Race: Strong Hope Upsets Empire Maker

In his second major upset in a row, Eugene and Laura Melnyk's Strong Hope led from start to finish and held off 1-5 favorite Empire Maker to win Sunday's Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. Congrats closed in the stretch to be third.

Strong Hope Spoils Sky Mesa's Dwyer Return

In the much-anticipated return of Sky Mesa, it was Eugene and Laura Melnyk's rapidly-improving Strong Hope who held on for victory in Sunday's $150,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) by a head over Nacheezmo, with Sky Mesa settling for a non-threatening third.

Midas Eyes Breezes 5 Furlongs in 1:00 3/5

Edmund Gann's Midas Eyes, breezed 5 furlongs in a sharp 1:00 1/5 Monday morning, in preparation for next Sunday's grade II Dwyer Stakes, which is shaping up to be a classy, competitive race.

Peace Rules Breezes Half in :45 2/5; Plans Still Up in the Air

Edmund Gann's Peace Rules showed his sharpness Wednesday morning, breezing a half in a bullet :45 2/5 over a fast Belmont track. It was the fastest of 68 works at the distance, with the next fastest work being :47.

Empire Maker, Sky Mesa Tear Up Track in Belmont Drills

Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker worked 5 furlongs in a quick :58 3/5 at Belmont Tuesday, while Sky Mesa, who is pointing for the July 6 Dwyer Stakes, went the same distance in :59 flat.

Sky Mesa Breezes 6 Furlongs For Dwyer Stakes

John Oxley's undefeated Sky Mesa, who has not run since his victory in last fall's Lane's End Breeders' Futurity, breezed 6 furlongs in 1:14 1/5 Monday morning in preparation for the July 6 Dwyer Stakes.

Sky Mesa to Return in Dwyer, Then Take Aim at Funny Cide in Haskell

John Oxley's undefeated Sky Mesa, who has not run since suffering an injury on the eve of the Breeder's Cup Juvenile, will make his long-awaited return in the 1 1/16-mile Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park on July 6.

Belmont Park Race Report (Cont.)

From Preceding Page

Buddha Might Return for Dwyer

Trainer H. James Bond is hopeful that Gary and Mary West's Wood Memorial (gr. I) winner Buddha will start in the Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park on July 7.

Belmont Park Race Report: Godolphin's Flag Bearer

As the holiday weekend closes, Godolphin's E Dubai proves he's the one to carry its hopes in the fall.

E Dubai Earns First Graded Stakes Win in Dwyer

Godolphin's E Dubai avenged his second-place finish to Hero's Tribute in the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) with an impressive 5 3/4-length victory in Sunday's $150,000 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park. The winning time marks the fastest running of the Dwyer since the race was switched to its present distance in 1994.

Classic Winners Upset In Dwyer

Tracy Farmer's Albert the Great jumped out to an early lead and was never challenged as the son of Go for Gin posted a three-length upset over More Than Ready and classic winners Red Bullet and Commendable in the $150,000 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park.