Fly Down a convincing Dwyer winner

Trainer Nick Zito has another horse for next month's Belmont S. (G1). In

addition to his Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Ice Box (Pulpit), the Hall of

Famer watched FLY DOWN (Mineshaft) run himself into consideration for the 1

1/2-mile classic with an authoritative romp in Saturday's $200,000

Dwyer S.

(G2) at Belmont Park. Trailing the field of seven down the backside, the

chestnut launched a strong four-wide bid around the far turn, seized control at

the top of the lane and drew off to win by six lengths, completing nine furlongs

over the fast main track in 1:50 1/5.

Drosselmeyer (Distorted Humor), the 3-5 favorite, enjoyed a ground-saving

trip down the backside, but when stuck behind a wall of horses approaching the

stretch, was forced to swing wide in pursuit of the eventual winner. However, he

could not make up the necessary ground while easily besting the rest of the

field. Third across the wire, 1 3/4 lengths behind Drosselmeyer, was the 5-1

Remand (Successful Appeal), who raced well off the inside for much of the race.

He was three parts of a length ahead of Soaring Empire (Empire Maker), who led

Carnivore (Giant's Causeway), the pacesetter through a quarter in :23 4/5, Turf

Melody (Maria's Mon), who clipped off a half in :47 3/5 and six panels in 1:13,

and the longest shot Codoy (Bernstein).

Fly Down returned $9.20, $3.20 and $2.60, while Drosselmeyer gave back $2.40

and $2.10. Remand paid $3.40 and the exotics were worth $20.60 (exacta), $62.50

(trifecta) and $207 (7-2-5-4 superfecta).

"He didn't break that badly, but he didn't break that well," winning jockey

Jose Lezcano said. "He stumbled a couple of times, but after that he grabbed the

bit and sat behind horses, just waiting. When I asked, he gave me everything he

had. He's going to be a good horse."