Following Sea dominates salty Belmont Park allowance

Following Sea turned in a second straight eye-catching performance Thursday at Belmont Park, signaling bigger things to come for the 3-year-old Spendthrift Farm colt.

After being tagged a TDN Rising Star and earning a gaudy Beyer Speed Figure in his April 10 maiden special weight win at Oaklawn Park, Following Sea was odds-on in Thursday’s 6 ½-furlong allowance that included Reinvestment Risk, who was twice Grade 1-placed in 2020.

Following Sea, under Joel Rosario, was head-to-head with Wudda U Think Now as they sped through a :22.03 quarter-mile and :44.79 half-mile. Despite the scorching pace, Following Sea shook off his competition at the top of the stretch to pull clear under a hand ride. Completely geared down in the final furlong, he crossed the wire in 1:15.28, less than a second off the track record, over the “good” main track.

Interviewed in the winner’s circle after the race, trainer Todd Pletcher said a stakes race is in the colt’s immediate future.

“We talked about the Dwyer (G3, $250,000, July 5 at Belmont) and the one-turn mile next. I think the horse will stretch out,” Pletcher said.

Homebred Following Sea is out of the stakes winner Quick Flip, also the dam of stakes-place Inspeightof. Following Sea has earned $115,520.