Versatile grade I winner Willy Beamin will stick to route racing when he faces an expected five other 3-year-olds in the Discovery Handicap (gr. III) Nov. 17 at Aqueduct.
Willy Beamin capped a six-race win streak with a victory in the seven-furlong Foxwoods King’s Bishop Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 25. Before defeating other top 3-year-old sprinters in the King’s Bishop, the Suave colt registered stakes wins against other New York-bred 3-year-olds in the Mike Lee Stakes at Belmont Park and the 1 1/8-mile Albany Stakes at Saratoga.
Willy Beamin’s win streak ended Sept. 30 when he finished second to Politicallycorrect in the 1 1/8-mile Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park. Trained by Rick Dutrow Jr., James Riccio's Willy Beamin will carry 121 pounds in the Discovery, spotting the field four to six pounds.
"He's good, real good," said Dutrow of the 7-5 morning-line favorite. "I wish I were doing as good as he is. He drew pretty good, though, and hopefully things will go his way on Saturday."
Top challengers for Willy Beamin could include Our Entourage, a Street Cry colt who two starts ago secured his first stakes win Oct. 21 at Belmont Park in the Temperence Hill Stakes; and Stephanoatsee , an A.P. Indy ridgling who enters off a victory in the 1 1/16-mile Barbaro Stakes Oct. 20 at Delaware Park.
$150,000 Discovery Handicap (Race 8, approximately 3:43 p.m. EST) 3yo, 1 1/8m
PP, Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Guilt Trip (KY), J. Castellano, 115, C. Brown
2. Adirondack King (KY), J. Rose, 117, J. Servis
3. Stephanoatsee (KY), J. Alvarado, 117, H. Motion
4. Called to Serve (KY), J. Rosario, 116, N. Canani
5. Our Entourage (KY), R. Dominguez, 117, D. Jacobson
6. Willy Beamin (NY), A. Garcia, 121, R. Dutrow Jr.