Racing: Stevens picks Fruits for Epsom familiarity

FRUITS OF LOVE will give the American jockey Gary Stevens a taste of the Epsom course before the Derby when he partners the colt in Friday's Coronation Cup, it was confirmed yesterday. The Mark Johnston-trained four-year-old showed dramatically-improved form on his reappearance to win the Dubai Turf Classic at Nad Al Sheba in March to earn a crack at Friday's Group One contest.

"All's well and Fruits Of Love runs at Epsom with Gary Stevens on board," Johnston said. "The plan was to get him down to the same weight he was for the Dubai race and he's just about that now - just a bit lighter."

The colt was injured when he went berserk in his horsebox on the M25 when returning from the Middle East. "Obviously there was the business with the horsebox, but he has been fine since," added the Middleham trainer.

"We used to think he wanted a lot of work but due to one thing and another he only had one real gallop before the Dubai race so it seems he needs very little work. We'll just give him plenty of cantering this week."

Fruits of Love will continue to be campaigned at the highest level. "His next aim is the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes," added Johnston.

Running Stag, trained at Epsom by Philip Mitchell, ran a fine race to be second to Behrens in the $600,000 Grade Two Massachussetts Handicap at Suffolk Downs, Boston on Saturday. Ridden by Shane Sellers, Running Stag set out to make all only to get caught near the line and beaten half a length by Behrens, who was conceding 5lb to the runner-up. Real Quiet, the 1998 Kentucky Derby winner, was two and three-quarter lengths back in third.

Mitchell was delighted with his charge. "The horse was fabulous. We changed tactics in this race and it worked beautifully. We might go in the Manhattan Handicap [Grade One at Belmont Park, 5 June], or maybe the Suburban Handicap [Grade Two at Belmont, 5 July). This is the real Running Stag we've been waiting to see."