War Correspondent Headlines Full Field for $300,000 Dixie Stakes

War Correspondent tops the wide-open field as the morning line favorite at odds of 7-2 for trainer Christophe Clement. A five-year-old son of War Front, he has been on the board in all eight career starts and earned the first graded stakes victory of his career last time out in the Appleton Stakes (G3). John Velazquez, aboard for his win last out, will be back in the irons and they will break from post position thirteen.

Up With the Birds making first start of the year

Second choice at 9-2 on the morning line is Up With the Birds who will be making his first start for trainer Graham Motion. A five-year-old son of Stormy Atlantic, he will be making his first start since finishing sixteenth in the Japan Cup (G1) in Tokyo in November. He has won seven of his fifteen career starts and is a multiple graded stakes winner. Drayden Van Dyke will be aboard for the first time from post position eleven.

Big class test for Beyond Smart

Also in the field and a long shot at 30-1 on the morning line is Beyond Smart, a homebred son of Smart Strike for George Strawbridge, Jr.’s Augustin Stables. Trained by Jonathan Sheppard, the four-year-old colt will be stepping up to graded stakes competition and returning to the races off of a ten-month layoff. Victor Carrasco, aboard for his win last July, will be back aboard and they will break from post position seven.