2007 Belmont Stakes Undercard Part 1

The first stakes event on Belmont day was the $100,000 Birdstone Stakes at 1 1/8 miles for older horses. 9-5 second choice Papi Chullo stalked the early pace of 11-1 Naughty New Yorker through fractions of 23.46 and 46.12, then took over the lead after 3/4 in 1:09.62 as Naughty New Yorker tired and dropped out of contention. Papi Chullo drew away through the stretch to win by 5 lengths over late-running 5-4 favorite Hesanoldsalt in a time of 1:47.33. It was just a neck back to 3-1 second choice A.P. Arrow in third.

Winning trainer Gary Contessa said, "When he was head-and-head for the lead after the opening half-mile, I thought we were sunk. Everybody wants to beat the champ. If this horse comes out of the race sound, we are going to the Suburban because he deserves a shot at Invasor. I don't know if he's as good as Invasor, but he's a damn good horse."
Results chart