Bellamy Road returns in King's Bishop.
Is it possible the race of year will be run on Travers (gr. I) day, but will not be the Travers? While the presence of Afleet Alex in the Travers will make the "Midsummer Derby" a special race, how about a showdown between Lost in the Fog, Bellamy Road, and Roman Ruler in the seven-furlong King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I)?That is looking like a distinct possibility with the announcement by trainer Nick Zito that the brilliant Wood Memorial (gr. I) winner and Kentucky Derby (gr. I) favorite Bellamy Road likely will make his return to the races in the King's Bishop, a race already on the schedule for unbeaten sensation Lost in the Fog and the recent Dwyer (gr. II) winner Roman Ruler."I have to bring him back someplace," Zito said. "I know it's a tough spot, but when he's right he can run with anybody. He knows how to get ready; he pumps himself up."Bellamy Road worked a bullet half-mile in :50 1/5 Saturday morning over the Oklahoma training track. It was the son of Concerto's second work since suffering a splint bone injury in the Kentucky Derby. He previously breezed a half in :51 1/5 on July 16.Although Lost in the Fog looks to be a definite for the King's Bishop, Bob Baffert will have to decide whether he wants Roman Ruler to take on these two brilliant colts in a sprint, coming off the 1 1/8-mile Haskell Invitational (gr. I) on Aug. 7. The son of Fusaichi Pegasus is expected to face Afleet Alex, who stands alone atop the 3-year-old division, and several other top colts such as Park Avenue Ball, High Limit, and possibly Swaps (gr. II) winner Surf Cat. Baffert said he will not run Roman Ruler in the Travers under any circumstances, which doesn't leave him with too many options.Zito said he's looking for an allowance race at Saratoga for Florida Derby (gr. I) runner-up Noble Causeway, and will point Belmont Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Andromeda's Hero to the Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II) July 30. Zito also has recent Leonard Richards (gr. III) winner Sun King heading for the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. III) on Aug. 14.
