THE SIDELINES : Easy Goer Gets High Weight

Easy Goer, who won six Grade I stakes last year but lost three of four meetings with Sunday Silence, will make his third start of the year in quest of his second victory when he opposes six rivals in the $350,000-added Suburban Handicap on Wednesday at Belmont Park.

If Easy Goer sizzles on the Fourth of July, he will go on to Arlington Park for a meeting Aug. 4 with Sunday Silence, his Triple Crown rival of last year, and Criminal Type, who has emerged as the big horse in U.S. racing.

Weight could be Easy Goer’s biggest opponent in the Suburban. He will carry 126 pounds and will spot his opponents from 12 to 19 pounds.

Also entered are De Roche, 113; Tricky Creek, 114; Le Voyageur, 112; Rampart Road, 107; Whiz Along, 110, and Montubio, 113.

Le Voyageur finished third to Easy Goer in the 1989 Belmont Stakes.

Easy Goer, who opened his 4-year-old campaign by winning the seven-furlong Gold Stage on May 16 at Belmont, finished third behind Criminal Type and Housebuster in the one-mile Metropolitan Handicap on May 28.

“He was dull that afternoon,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “I don’t think he ran his race.”