Za Approval Tries to Defend Title in $200,000 Knickerbocker at Belmont

Za Approval has been tabbed at 7-2 on the morning line for trainer Christophe Clement. A six-year-old son of Ghostzapper bred and owned by Live Oak Plantation, he earned his first win since last year’s edition of the Knickerbocker (G3) last time out in the Real Courage Stakes. He has eight wins to his credit and was second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile last year to Horse of the Year Wise Dan. Luis Saez has picked up the mount and they will break from post three.

Canadian champion Up With the Birds looms large

Up With the Birds has been named the 3-1 morning line favorite for trainer Malcolm Pierce. The four-year-old son of Stormy Atlantic, a homebred for Sam-Son Farm, earned the most noteworthy win of his career at Belmont Park in the Jamaica (G1) last year. The reigning Canadian Horse of the Year also earned the Sovereign Award for champion three-year-old last year. He was last seen finishing fourth in the Arlington Million (G1) and will have Cornelio Velasquez in the irons.

Mshawish trying to avenge disqualification last out

Also in the field is Mshawish, 10-1 on the morning line and one of two horses for trainer Todd Pletcher. The four-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro finished first in his second North American start last time out but was disqualified and placed third. He has won three of his thirteen starts including the Zabeel Mile (G2) in the United Arab Emirates and two races in France. Javier Castellano will be aboard for the first time and they are slated to break from post position nine.