Order This Photo
After watching Guyana Star Dweej put in a half-mile work on Belmont Park’s main track June 4, owner-trainer Doodnauth Shivmangal confirmed the colt will make his next start in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
“Guyana Star is in the Belmont,” Shivmangal said. “I was very pleased with him yesterday morning, but I am more pleased today. We were able to beat the weather, and he did what he needed to do. I think Guyana Star is back on the straight path again.”
Working in company with Pilgrim Stakes (gr. III) winner Shkspeare Shaliyah, Guyana Star Dweej completed a quarter mile in :22.76 and a half mile in :49.06, galloping out five furlongs in 1:02.39, according to New York Racing Association clockers.
Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux, who will ride the 3-year-old Eddington colt in the Belmont, was aboard for the work.
“Kent said he was very relaxed and went very easy,” Shivmangal said. “He’s a nice horse. Nothing bothers him.”
Desormeaux has ridden in the Belmont seven times, winning with Summer Bird in 2009 and finishing second twice, with Real Quiet in 1998 and Medaglia d'Oro in 2002.
Guyana Star Dweej was second to fellow Belmont starter Unstoppable U in a one-mile optional claimer at Belmont Park on April 27 in his most recent start, with jockey Eddie Castro aboard. Apprentice Samuel Camacho Jr. was up for the previous three races, including Guyana Star Dweej's lone victory April 7 at Aqueduct.
“Kent came by with his agent and they were asking about the horse,” Shivmangal said. “We were debating who would ride him. My kids were thinking I should bring Camacho back to ride. I told them I have nothing against him. He won on the horse, but this is a big race, the toughest of the Triple Crown races to win.
“I love to use the bug kids, because I know they try every time. I met with my wife and kids and we decided to go with Kent. We felt it was the right decision to have an experienced jockey who knows what it takes. We believe in loyalty, but this is a big race and not a small race. You have to have somebody who knows how to do it.”
Guyana Star Dweej, whose career record includes five second-place finishes from nine starts, was pulled from consideration for the May 19 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) with a left front leg injury three days before the race.
