Brown runners ready for Stars & Stripes Festival; Lady Eli returns to worktab

Edited Press Release

Trainer Chad Brown is getting his stable ready for the Stars & Stripes Festival on July 9 at Belmont Park, sending out both of his expected entries for the $1.25 million Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) – Camelot Kitten and Call Provision -- to work five furlongs on Sunday morning.

"Both of those horses went really well," Brown said.

Camelot Kitten, who is coming off back-to-back victories in the American Turf (G2) and Pennine Ridge Stakes (G3), breezed 1:02.85 on the firm inner turf.

"Hopefully he has more continued good luck with his trips," Brown said. "The last two times, he's found rail spots early, saved a lot of ground and came with a good kick. He's a quality horse but in a race of this magnitude, I'd love to get a good post and trip. But he's coming to the race in good shape."

Call Provision, who clocked the same time on Sunday, finished a close third last out in the Pennine Ridge in a nice stakes debut. The son of Lemon Drop Kid will now be facing a step up in class in just his third career start.

"He's a lightly raced horse and it's a lot to ask, but he acts like he'll run a mile-and-a-quarter," Brown said. "He'd appreciate a cozy trip if he can save some ground early. I'm going to see what he can do."

Brown said he was also pleased with Group 3-placed Last Waltz, who breezed five furlongs in 1:02.55 on Belmont’s firm inner turf Sunday morning in preparation for the $1 million Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1).

Economic Model breezed four furlongs in :48.91 over Belmont’s muddy main track in company with Connect on Saturday in preparation for the $500,000 Dwyer Stakes (G3) on Stars & Stripes Day.

The three-year-old bay colt is coming off a 1 1/2-length victory in the Easy Goer Stakes on June 11 at Belmont Park. After posting a career-best 101 BRIS Speed rating in the win, Economic Model will now be looking for his first career graded victory after placing second in the January 30 Swale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park and ninth in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on March 12 in his prior two attempts.

"He's had two works since (the Easy Goer); both have been just maintenance works," Brown said. "He looks very good. We're very pleased with how the horse is doing."

Undefeated Lady Eli worked out on Sunday as she continued her recovery from laminitis. The Divine Park four-year-old clocked a half-mile in :52.22 on the firm inner turf.

Lady Eli has not been seen in competition since taking the 2015 Belmont Oaks on July 4, 2015, and her last official work came on March 21 at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida.

"It was her first breeze back," Brown said. "I just wanted to get her out there and do something better than a gallop and she how she's moving. I was real pleased with that."

Camelot Kitten photo courtesy of NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography