MY WRITE UP ON WINNER SUMMER BIRD IN THE BELMONT ON MY STAKES SHEET SOLD ON BRISNET.COM by The Wizard on Saturday, June 06, 2009

SUMMER BIRD

Of all the longshots entered in the Belmont Stakes, Summer Bird is the most interesting. Trainer Tim Ice does not start many horses, but he wins a high percentage of races. Both Ice and Summer Bird's owners, could never envision, that Summer Bird would accomplish as much as he has in such a short period of time. It took him two races to break his maiden. Twenty two days later, Summer Bird was asked to take a huge leap of faith into the Grade 2 Arkansas Derby, facing the likes of Papa Clem and Old Fashioned, who ended up running 1-2. There were others who had more racing experience as well. Summer Bird, sent off at 26-1, was a fast closing third, rallying from dead last, while racing very wide throughout. If the race was a bit longer, he probably would have sprung the upset. “If dreams come true” and “miracles happen”, then Summer Bird was the poster child for both. Just ask the connections of Mine That Bird. Summer Bird did not train well at Churchill Downs in the days leading up to the Kentucky, but nevertheless, he ran a respectable sixth, beaten thirteen lengths, over a sloppy track he had never raced over.

What should we expect from Summer Bird in the Belmont Stakes? Summer Bird’s sire is Birdstone, (also the sire of Mine That Bird), who upset Smarty Jones quest for racing’s Triple Crown, in the 2004 Belmont Stakes. Birdstone’s father, Grindstone, won the 1996 Kentucky Derby. Summer Bird’s mother, Hong Kong Squall, was winless in nine starts, but her dad Summer Squall ran second in the 1990 Kentucky Derby, as well as winning several Graded stakes going a distance of ground. Based on his pedigree, Summer Bird should be able to handle the 1 ½ mile distance of the Belmont. He did not train particularly well at Belmont Park, until his workout last weekend, with new rider Kent Desormeaux. He replaces Rosier, who rode him in his first three starts. Needless to say, this is a monumental rider change. Desormeaux indicated that Summer Bird “handled the track fantastically. He’s fit and ready.He's a happy, healthy horse”. There are too many factors to suggest that Summer Bird has a chance to run better than his big odds will suggest.