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Palace Malice will keep Smith, shed blinkers for Belmont Dogwood Stable President Cot Campbell confirmed Monday afternoon that Mike Smith will retain the mount aboard Palace Malice in the June 8 Belmont Stakes. The Hall of Famer first rode the colt in the May 4 Kentucky Derby, where the Todd Pletcher trainee overreacted to first-time blinkers, set a frenetic pace, and faded to 12th on the sloppy track. Palace Malice will keep his rider, but lose the headgear, for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont. "The decision is based on the outcome of the Preakness," Campbell said in a statement, "and the fact that on Sunday at Belmont Park our horse worked a very snappy half in :47.2, indicating good energy and enthusiasm. "The blinkers that jazzed him up in the Kentucky Derby come off and we anticipate no problem with pace or distance. He always rated kindly in previous races, and he will be in good hands with Mike Smith. "We are keen to give him another chance -- his trainer Todd Pletcher included," Campbell noted. "Who knows which horse will relish a mile and a half; but his pedigree and his disposition -- sans blinkers -- would give Palace Malice as good a shot as any of them." Palace Malice had just missed in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes prior to the Derby. Earlier this season, he was a close third in the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds, edging eventual Preakness upsetter Oxbow. Palace Malice is from the first crop of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, who was outdueled by the filly Rags to Riches in the 2007 Belmont. Pletcher will field several other Belmont runners, including Louisiana Derby hero and Kentucky Derby third-placer Revolutionary and Arkansas Derby winner Overanalyze, who was 11th in the Run for the Roses. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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