FIRST DUDE (Stephen Got Even) tuned up for next Saturday’s $1 million Belmont
S. (G1) Saturday morning with a solid five-furlong work under exercise rider
Tammy Fox.
After stopping numerous times on his way to the track and on the track to
pose for photographers and videographers, the 17-hands-tall colt got down to
business shortly after the renovation break on Belmont Park’s main track, with
NYRA clockers catching him in 1:01.
“It looked like he was just galloping,” said Dale Romans, who trains the colt
for owner Donald R. Dizney. “Just getting a few trips over this track is good.
He looked like he got a lot out of it, and I’m glad we came in early to train
over this deeper track.”
With just three weeks between races, Romans said he was sticking with his
normal program as he trains the Preakness S. (G1) runner-up into the 1 1/2-mile
classic. Belmont Park is the fifth track over which First Dude will have run,
including traditional dirt tracks at Gulfstream Park, Churchill Downs and
Pimlico and the synthetic surface at Keeneland, where he finished third to
STATELY VICTOR (Ghostzapper) in the Blue Grass S. (G1).
“He’s a great, big horse and the big sweeping turns here I think will help
him,” Romans said. “He’s a strong horse and he’s handled everything we’ve given
him and bounced right back.”
UPTOWNCHARLYBROWN (Limehouse) also drilled for the Belmont S. Saturday
morning, covering five furlongs in 1:01 1/5.
“We were looking for :48 up in 1:01 and we got :48 and a couple, up in 1:01,
so it went well,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “The distance is a question
mark, but it’s a question mark for everybody. This horse has a big stride and
gallops out strong, always. He’s had traffic trips (in his previous races), so
hopefully things go a little better at a mile and a half. He came in here a
pretty straightforward horse — he does everything right — and he came from
good hands so we’re just training on.”
Previously trained by the late Alan Seewald, Uptowncharlybrown has two wins
and two third-place finishes from five starts. He was most recently third in the
Lexington S. (G2) over 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland on April 17.
“I wish the Belmont were today instead of next week, but he’s doing great,”
McLaughlin said. “He’s ready to go, so we’re happy.”
Sunday at Belmont Park, expected Belmont starters STAY PUT (Broken Vow) and
DROSSELMEYER (Distorted Humor) are scheduled to work after the renovation break,
while Dwyer S. (G2) winner FLY DOWN (Mineshaft) is slated to work over the
Oklahoma training track at Saratoga for trainer Nick Zito.