Field of 10 shaping up for Belmont

Make Music for Me will breeze Sunday for Alexis Barba  (EquiSport Photos) Pasadena S. winner MAKE MUSIC FOR ME (Bernstein), one of 10 hopefuls for the 142nd running of the $1 million Belmont S. (G1) on June 5, jogged for a second day around the Belmont Park oval right after the renovation break, according to exercise rider Andy Durnin. The bay colt, who had a rigorous one-mile workout Sunday morning, walked Monday and jogged Tuesday, will return to galloping on Thursday. “I don’t think I could keep him on the ground otherwise,” Durnin explained. “Even today, when a couple went by breezing, he got a little fresh. The pony had to pull him up.”

Make Music for Me will enter the Belmont off a fourth-place run in the
Kentucky Derby (G1).

Trainer Alexis Barba is scheduled to return from California this weekend for
Make Music for Me’s final breeze on Sunday, and will remain in New York through
the Belmont. Next Tuesday morning, Barba — who would become the first woman to
saddle a classic winner should Make Music for Me win the Belmont — will travel
to Manhattan for a photo opportunity at the Empire State Building.

Last year, trainer Tim Ice participated in the photo op, and four days later
his Summer Bird (Birdstone) upset the Belmont Stakes.

In Saratoga Springs, Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito reported that his duo of
Florida Derby (G1) king ICE BOX (Pulpit) and Dwyer S. (G2) hero FLY DOWN
(Mineshaft) continue to do well as he prepares them for the Belmont Stakes.

Ice Box is scheduled to breeze on Thursday in Saratoga  (EquiSport Photos) “Right now, everything is positive and we want to keep it that way,” he said. “I’m going to stay here, take care of the horses, and go from there.” Ice Box galloped almost two miles Wednesday over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga, and Zito said he would like to breeze the Kentucky Derby runner-up Thursday morning, weather permitting. Fly Down, who comes into the 1 1/2-mile Belmont off a six-length victory over DROSSELMEYER (Distorted Humor) in the Dwyer, came out of last Saturday’s :49 2/5 half-mile breeze in good order and will work once more, either Sunday or Monday, before the Belmont.

Zito said he will remain upstate until next Wednesday, when he will come back
to Belmont with both Ice Box and Fly Down.

After galloping 1 1/2 miles around the Belmont Park oval Wednesday morning,
Preakness S. (G1) runner-up FIRST DUDE (Stephen Got Even) was treated to a
lengthy
grazing session in the clover outside Mike Maker’s barn.

“He’s doing great,” said exercise rider Tammy Fox, who is overseeing First
Dude’s preparations for the Belmont until trainer Dale Romans’ scheduled arrival
on Friday. “He’s getting over the track fine; he’s just floating right over it.
He’s such a big horse with a long stride, and you don’t feel like he’s doing
anything. He’s real easy on himself.”

The bay sophomore will have his final breeze for the Belmont on Saturday
morning.

Others heading to the Belmont include Lone Star Derby (G3) winner GAME ON
DUDE (Awesome Again), who breezed seven furlongs in 1:26 3/5 at Santa Anita on
Tuesday; Blue Grass S. (G1) winner STATELY VICTOR (Ghostzapper), who went five
furlongs in :59 2/5 Tuesday at the Louisville Trackside training center;
multiple Grade 2-placed Drosselmeyer, Withers S. (G3) third SPANGLED STAR
(Distorted Humor), allowance/optional claiming victor STAY PUT (Broken Vow) and
Lexington S. (G2) third UPTOWNCHARLYBROWN (Limehouse).

Stately Victor and Stay Put are scheduled to arrive in New York on Thursday,
while Game on Dude will arrive next Tuesday.