A trio of Belmont Stakes contenders breezed at
Churchill Downs on Thursday, including Preakness winner Oxbow, Kentucky
Derby runner-up Golden Soul and Rebel victor Will Take Charge,
and all exited their workouts in good order.
The D. Wayne Lukas duo of Oxbow and Will Take Charge, who
was eighth in the Kentucky Derby and seventh in the Preakness, both breezed six
furlongs Thursday. Oxbow went in 1:14 3/5 after the renovation break while Will Take Charge
hit the track shortly after it opened at 6 a.m. (EDT) to clock the same distance
in 1:15 4/5.
“They’re both very good this morning,” Lukas said.
Lukas said the duo will depart Churchill Downs at 4 a.m. on Monday and are
scheduled to arrive at Belmont Park at approximately 6 p.m.
“They’re both doing great, or else I wouldn’t be putting them on a van,”
Lukas said. “After they arrive at Belmont they’ll gallop up to the race. All of
their major work is done.”
Oxbow and Will Take Charge will be joined on their van ride to Belmont by fellow Lukas trainees Laurie’s Rocket and Optimizer.
Laurie’s Rocket is scheduled to run in the True North Handicap and Optimizer will
compete in the Manhattan Handicap, both on the Belmont undercard.
Golden Soul, in his first work since finishing second to
Orb in the Kentucky Derby, breezed five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 for trainer Dallas
Stewart.
“It was one of his best works yesterday and he really came
out of it good,” Stewart said. “He wasn’t tired and ate great last night. I
totally think we’re in it to win it now.”
Golden Soul walked the shedrow of Barn 48 at Churchill
Downs on Friday, but will return to the track Saturday.
“He’ll jog Saturday, gallop Sunday, gallop Monday and then
jog or gallop on Tuesday before flying to New York,” Stewart explained. “He’ll gallop
up there on Wednesday and Thursday and then jog Friday.”
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