Lucullan heads to Fort Marcy

Four-year-old colt Lucullan returns to Belmont Park, USA, for the nine-furlong G3 Fort Marcy Stakes on Saturday, 5 May.

The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained son of Hard Spun has won two of his three previous starts on turf at the New York course and was beaten a neck in the G3 Hill Prince Stakes, run over the same course and distance as the Fort Marcy Stakes, in October.

Lucullan has made two appearances over nine furlongs on turf so far this year. He followed up an impressive victory in a Gulfstream Park allowance optional claimer in February with a staying-on sixth in the G2 Muniz Memorial Handicap at Fair Grounds on Saturday, 24 March.

David Cohen comes in for the ride on Lucullan, who breaks from stall two in a field of nine that also features Robert The Bruce, a multiple G1 winner in Chile, and French G1 victor Silverwave.

Kiaran McLaughlin commented: “Lucullan didn’t like the ground at Fair Grounds and we are putting a line through that race, even though he didn’t get beaten by too far.

“He is back at a course he loves and is doing very well. Graded races are never easy to win, but I am hoping the return to Belmont will see an improved performance.”