Belmont works delayed by rain
Continued wet weather in the New York metropolitan area has left the final
serious works of several contenders for the 141st running of the $1 million
Belmont S. (G1) on June 6 up in the air.
Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith’s DUNKIRK (Unbridled’s
Song), runner-up in the Florida Derby (G1) two back, and Mr. and Mrs. William K.
Warren’s CHARITABLE MAN (Lemon Drop Kid), who were both scheduled to breeze
Saturday morning, may instead have their final moves at Belmont Park on Sunday.
“Right now, Dunkirk is likely to breeze on Sunday after the break,” trainer
Todd Pletcher said of the 11th-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby (G1). “That
may change depending on the condition of the track, but Sunday will be fine.
John Velazquez will be aboard.”
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Charitable Man, winner of the Peter Pan S.
(G2), might wait until Sunday or even Monday to breeze.
“We always leave a window of a day or so,” McLaughlin said. “In 2006, it
rained for two weeks leading up to the Belmont S. and the day Jazil was supposed
to breeze, the track was sloppy, and I walked out on the track and said, ‘You
know what? He’s fit. He doesn’t need to work.’ So he doesn’t work the week
leading up to the race, and he wins.”
As well, Robert V. LaPenta’s duo of MINER’S ESCAPE (Mineshaft), winner of the
Frederico Tesio S. at Pimlico, and BRAVE VICTORY (Lion Heart), third in the
Peter Pan, will work for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito either Saturday or
Sunday, depending on the weather.
SUMMER BIRD (Birdstone), sixth in the Kentucky Derby, will have his final
work on Saturday as scheduled, according to trainer Tim Ice.
“As long as the track is safe, he’ll go after the break,” Ice said. “Kent
Desormeaux will be aboard.”
CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]), FLYING PRIVATE (Fusaichi Pegasus), LUV
GOV (Ten Most Wanted), MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone), MR. HOT STUFF (Tiznow), and
possibly RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d’Oro) are also being pointed toward the 1
1/2-mile “Test of the Champion.” NOWHERE TO HIDE (Vindication), also trained by
Zito, is questionable.