Jun 9, 2020

Belmont Stakes........June 20th

We definitely need a thread, we're only 12 days away. Here's some workout details of late:

On June 3, Max Player's solo breeze on the main track at Belmont Park went well, except for one glitch. David Grening clocked him in 13.13 and 25.49 through the first half-mile and got his last three furlongs in a nifty 35.36, for a final time of 1:00.85. Track clockers got him in 1:00.60. According to Grening, Max Player galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.38. There was a woops moment when the rider was unseated. Max Player ran off but was caught unscathed, and his rider wasn't hurt. Trainer Rice said there would be one more work before the Belmont Stakes. Dylan Davis is named to ride.

Tiz the Law breezed solo at Palm Meadows on May 31. He was shipped to New York the next day. After being timed in 48.20, he galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.60, according to Palm Meadows clocker Brian Walls. He was a bit wide in the gallop-out. There was a small amount of sweat on the right side of his neck. Video is here. More video here showing Tiz the Law picking 'em up and laying 'em down in the stretch while working in company on May 24, followed by a long gallop-out. On May 18, he went an easy four furlongs solo, and that video is here. On May 9 he breezed in company, video here. The workouts in company clearly show Tiz the Law being conditioned to come from off the pace, which is his preferred racing style.

On June 5, Gouverneur Morris breezed inside an unidentified workmate, again wearing blinkers, on a track rated good. He easily put away the workmate, who was no Dr Post, that much is sure. His gallop-out wasa just okay. Video is here. On May 29, Gouverneur Morris (outside) and Dr Post breezed in company, registering identical official times, at Palm Beach Downs. The 'Gouv' was sporting blinkers. Trainer Pletcher said afterward, "I can’t say I’ve seen a huge change with them." Pletcher also commented that Dr Post is training "lights out." Pletcher puts stock in workout gallop-outs, and Dr Post looked great. He clearly out-galloped Gouverneur Morris past the wire. Gouverneur Morris got a crack of the whip into the turn before falling further behind. Neck sweat was clearly visible on the right side of Dr Post, and on his left side there was a little bit.

Farmington Road breezed outside of an unnamed workmate at Palm Beach Downs on May 29. He was a half-length behind at the start of the video; overtook his mate on the turn; finished on even terms; and galloped out on even terms while being pushed a tiny bit in the turn by the rider. Video is here. On June 5, trainer Pletcher switched up and breezed Farmington Road and Dr Post (outside) in company. The track was rated good. Sweat can be observed on both sides of Dr Post's neck. Dr Post had clearly outworked Gouverneur Morris on May 29. As was the case with that workout, these two went together and registered identical times at the finish line. The two horses galloped out together, so I would grade these two better than Gouverneur Morris on this day. Video is here.

Modernist breezed outside Tacitus at Payson Park on May 28. They were given identical times. Tacitus was a little stronger in the gallop-out. After the work, trainer Mott expressed his satisfaction with the workout and indicated the Belmont Stakes is in his sights, but he did not commit.

On June 7, Ete Indien breezed solo on dirt at Palm Meadows, exhibiting his usual neck sweat. He does the same thing before racing. Early after he broke off, Ete Indien was a little headstrong before his rider briefly reined him back a couple of times. Afterward, he appeared to settle down. At the top of the stretch, he veered in a tiny bit as he changed leads and then straightened up nicely. He pricked his ears briefly at the finish line and mildly galloped out through the turn. He's entered to race in just three days. After noticing he was wearing front wraps, I checked on a couple of things (1) he hasn't raced with them, and (2) he was wearing them in the other workout we can view, the one described below on May 17.

Sole Volante breezed on June 7. He and Ete Indien also breezed on May 2. Trainer Biancone said they missed a work before May 29 due to weather. They breezed in company, so to speak, on May 17 on firm turf. They were very far apart on the track, so it might be more accurate to say they worked at the same time. Trainer Biancone often likes to have these horses gallop before breaking into their works. Ete Indien was credited with a slightly faster work.