Vitruvian Man Joins Belmont Field, Bringing Probable Lineup to 10

After two defections from the Belmont Stakes were confirmed Wednesday morning, one new addition to the field was finalized later that afternoon.

Vitruvian Man, who finished third in the Santa Anita Derby in his only start this year, will compete in the $2 million Belmont Stakes on June 6 at Saratoga, trainer Doug O’Neill confirmed.

“He’s always shown a lot of talent, he was just a little slow to come around,” O’Neill said. “He’s training well. We’re excited.”

Antonio Fresu, who rode Vitruvian Man in the Santa Anita Derby, will again have the mount in the Belmont, O’Neill said.

Vitruvian Man, a son of Vino Rosso, is owned and bred by Glenn Sorgenstein. The colt has one win from six career starts, that victory coming last fall in a 1 1/16-mile maiden race at Keeneland. The race was restricted to horses who had sold or failed to meet their reserve for $65,000 or less at their most recent auction.

After overcoming a slow start to win that race by a nose, Vitruvian Man went on to finish second and third in two subsequent allowance races in Kentuckybefore being given time off.

O’Neill noted that Vitruvian Man has experienced “steering issues” in the past but said he will equip the horse with an Australian ring bit to help Fresu maintain better control.

“His last couple of works have been his best to date,” O’Neill said. “And he always acted like a horse the longer the better.”

Vitruvian Man most recently worked six furlongs from the gate in 1:13.60 at Santa Anita on May 20, and O’Neill said he plans to give him another gate work over the weekend at Santa Anita.

Vitruvian Man’s addition to the field restores the probable Belmont lineup to 10, following the earlier withdrawals of Chip Honcho and Potente.