Hall of Fame coach Todd Pletcher “agreed” after a breeze Saturday morning from Repole Stable and the reigning champion of St. Elias Stable 2 years old Forte (Violence), who worked five-eighths on the main Belmont Park track in preparation for the GI Belmont S.
NYRA timekeepers caught Forte past three-eighths in:35 before completing five stretches in 1:00.44 and galloping six stretches in 1:13 on the fast main track .
“I was really, really happy. I think he made a great move. He’s got a good beat, a great finish and a nice gallop,” Pletcher said. “It looks like he has maintained his fitness level. We thought that last week when he hit the half he recovered pretty quickly, and even more so today after a strong wind and gallop. Everything seems to be fine.”
Pletcher said Dr. Sarah Hinchliffe, NYRA Senior Veterinarian, was pleased with the job and subsequent exam.
“It went very well. She checked on him before he flew, tracked him on the track in the wind and after the breeze, then went back to the barn and checked on him again, Pletcher said. “She said she was very happy. They took the blood and she got the results in five days on that and that would work things out.
He added that both Forte and faucet Trice (faucet) will likely record their last Belmont Stakes winds on Saturday, June 3.
Pletcher also reported that the winner of the GII Louisiana Derby Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo), who finished 14th in the GI Kentucky Derby, will miss the Belmont Stakes after he missed a scheduled light ride on Friday while showing signs of stomach upset that morning.
“We will be out of the way. He had a stomach ache,” Pletcher said. “He’s fine, he doesn’t need surgery. They just need to manage some fluid. It’s an unfortunate time, but it’s not something we can do [control]. We can’t get wind for the next day or two so we’re running out of time. We’ll make sure he’s okay and then come up with a game plan.
Brad Cox’s GI candidate Belmont S angel of the empire (Classic Empire) (five extensions, :59.80) and impressions (candy ride {Arg}) (five stretches, 1:00.20) worked on Saturday to prepare for the June 10 classic.
Angel of Empire was one of the first workers to go when the track opened at 5:30 a.m. when he and his friend settled in. certificate (Structure) (five furlongs, 1:00.20) worked in the company. Right after they moved, the Hit Show appeared outside Salute the Stars (candy ride {Arg}).
Another Saturday morning worker is Lucky Seven Stable’s happy smile (Runhappy), GII winner Alysheba S. on Kentucky Oaks Day. He returned to the work tab for the first time since Alysheba and completed an easy half mile in: 49.60 at 9am
Not a subscriber? Click here to subscribe to PDF or daily alerts.
This story was posted in Top News and tagged angel of the empire, Belmont S., Brad Cox, Forte, impressions, Kingsbarns, happy smile, Tapit Trice, Todd Pletcher, certificate.
