Horse Racing News on May 31, 2013

Trainer Todd Pletcher said in a national teleconference May 30 that jockey Rosie Napravnik was "very likely" to ride Unlimited Budget in the June 8 Belmont Stakes if the filly competes in the third leg of the Triple Crown.

Preakness Stakes winner Oxbow, stablemate Will Take Charge, and Kentucky Derby runner-up Golden Soul all turned in preparations for the June 8 Belmont Stakes on the morning of May 30 at Churchill Downs.

Champion Royal Delta will seek a title defense in the June 15 Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs, her connections confirmed May 31.

The $100,000 Aristides Stakes may be the feature worth the most June 1 at Churchill Downs, but a familiar cast of characters makes the $65,000 Opening Verse a more intriguing contest.

Den's Legacy, taken off the Triple Crown trail by trainer Bob Baffert after a sixth-place finish in the Arkansas Derby, should find the company more to his liking in the $100,000 Affirmed Handicap June 2 at Betfair Hollywood Park.