Connections of Orb, Oxbow pleased heading into Belmont; Always in a Tiz declared

Connections of Orb, Oxbow pleased heading into Belmont;
Always in a Tiz declared out

Trainer Shug McGaughey will send out Orb in search of his first Belmont win since 1989 (Debra Kral/Horsephotos.com) Kentucky Derby winner Orb continues to flourish at his home track, jogging Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. (EDT) and leaving Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey pleased with the way the colt is coming into Saturday’s 145th running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes. “I think it’s got to be a lot more comfortable than shipping to Kentucky or to Maryland; from here, all he has to do is walk from here (the barn) to there (the track),” McGaughey said. “He walks through the paddock every morning and trains over the racetrack every day, which he did as a two-year-old and three-year-old, except when we were in Florida. He’s been here for three weeks, and I think it has to be a help not only mentally but being familiar with the footing as well. He’s done well here and trained well here.” Similarly, McGaughey thinks his own familiarity with Belmont Park, and that of jockey Joel Rosario, will be to Orb’s benefit. “Some jockeys don’t ride here on a regular basis, and they might not be as familiar with what’s going on,” he said. “When they turn down that backstretch, they’ve got a long way to go. A lot of them, I think, will move a little early.

“As long as I’ve been up here, I understand my surroundings and I understand
Belmont Park, and I think Rosario is going to be the same way.”

The 1 1/2-mile Belmont is at a distance which McGaughey feels is within Orb’s
scope.

“He’s by Malibu Moon, who’s by A.P. Indy, who would run a distance of ground
and gets horses who run a distance of ground, and he’s out of a deep female
family that’s all bred for go long on the dirt,” he said. “He’ll run all day,
and I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.”

Preakness winner Oxbow led the D. Wayne Lukas-trained contingent off the van
early Monday evening at Belmont Park, where they will be stabled at the barn of
trainer Barclay Tagg. Joining Oxbow were Rebel winner Will Take Charge, who is
also bound for the Belmont, as well as Optimizer, who will compete in the
Manhattan Handicap.

“Everything was fine. No problems,” Lukas said of the arrival. “They trained
well, had good energy this morning. Everything was in good order. They just
jogged. They’ll gallop this week. Everything’s done now. Just keep them happy.”

On Oxbow, Lukas said, “He’s a tough little horse. The Preakness took nothing
out of him. He’s full of himself. He’ll be tough again.”

As many as 14 will line up for the Belmont. In addition to Orb and Oxbow,
likely for Wednesday’s post position draw are Revolutionary, Unlimited Budget,
Overanalyze, Palace Malice, Midnight Taboo, Will Take Charge, Freedom Child, Vyjack,
Incognito, Frac Daddy, Golden Seal, and Giant Finish.
Frac Daddy and Golden Seal were expected to arrive at Belmont Park Tuesday.

Always in a Tiz will not run in the Belmont and instead will compete in the
$150,000 Easy Goer on Saturday’s undercard, according to the NYRA racing office.

Trained by Dominick Schettino for owners Brooklyn Boyz Stable and MeB
Stables, Always in a Tiz has one win in five starts and was ninth in the Wood
Memorial on April 6 at Aqueduct in his most recent start.

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