Godolphin‘s Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) continued preparations for the GI Belmont Stakes Saturday morning, working five furlongs in 1:02.54 (4/5) over Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track.
The Derby hero breezed in company with Grade I-winner Arthur’s Ride (Tapit), who clocked 1:02.94 (5/5). Sovereignty started two lengths behind and to the outside of his workmate before overtaking him through the turn. NYRA clockers caught sectionals of 12 2/5, 25 1/5, and 37 4/5, with a gallop out in 1:17 flat and 1:33.10.
“I thought it was good,” trainer Bill Mott said. “He was a little strong in the warm-up. When he [Poznansky] tipped him out, he kind of went right to the other horse. He had him in behind to begin, and he went well.”
Mott noted a change in Sovereignty’s demeanor since winning the Derby.
“He’s almost a little more aggressive,” Mott said. “It [the Derby] hasn’t set him back. He’s just getting a little stronger than he was. He wasn’t quite that strong [before the Derby].”
The trainer expects the colt to have another breeze before the Belmont.
Regarding Arthur’s Ride, who hasn’t raced since finishing well back in last November’s GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, Mott noted it was only his fifth work since that race.
“I thought he went well the first five-eighths—he probably got a little tired. He hasn’t had that many works.”
Mott also sent out MGSW & MGISP Scylla (Tapit) to work four furlongs in company with GSW Resilience (Into Mischief). The pair completed the breeze in :48.25, the joint second-fastest of 21 that morning. Scylla is under consideration for the GII Bed o’ Roses Stakes June 6 during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
Grade I Trio Work at Oklahoma
Trainer Chad Brown sent out three horses Saturday morning for half-mile works over the Oklahoma training track. MGISW Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) and GSP Praetor (Into Mischief) worked together, clocking :48.65 (4/21), while MGISW Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d’Oro) went solo in :49.95 (9/21).
George Weaver’s GI Matriarch Stakes victress Sacred Wish (Not This Time) also worked a half-mile in :51.25 in her first breeze since finishing seventh in the GII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile May 3.
Hill Road Leads Breezers on Belmont Park Training Track
Downstate at Belmont Park, Chad Brown’s GI Belmont Stakes hopeful Hill Road (Quality Road) worked four furlongs in :48.75 (43/153) in company with Lordship (Gun Runner), who wore blinkers for the first time.
“[Hill Road] worked super, I’m really pleased with him,” said Brown. “He had a nice gallop-out. He is coming along really well. He came out of his last race really well.”
This was Hill Road’s first breeze since winning the GIII Peter Pan Stakes in dramatic fashion May 10.
“I put this horse Lordship on the outside of him, they were a good match, they galloped out strong. They are two endurance type horses that are kind of stayers,” Brown said.
“I just wanted a steady work but with a strong gallop-out. These are staying horses that the best part of their works and races will be the late stages, I liked what I saw around the turn galloping out. He is very fit now, Hill Road. He is in a good part of his form cycle. I’m just looking to maintain where I’m at with that horse.”
Brown also provided future targets for Juddmonte’s homebred Garamond (Uncle Mo), who defeated Bob Baffert’s Cornucopian (Into Mischief) in an optional claimer Apr. 27.
“He’s heading over to the Pegasus at Monmouth,” said Brown. “For the time being, I’m hoping he turns into a Haskell horse, I don’t want to upend that plan.”
The colt is being pointed to the Listed NYRA Bets Pegasus Stakes June 14 at Monmouth with an eye on the GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes July 19.
Macho Music Prepares for Woody Stephens
GSW Macho Music (Maclean’s Music), winner of the GII Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard, worked Friday at Churchill Downs in preparation for the GI Woody Stephens June 7 during the Belmont Stakes Festival.
In his first breeze since his 3 1/4-length score, he clocked five panels in 1:00.60 over the training track, the best of two on the morning.
“It was good. He worked really well,” said trainer Rohan Crichton, who is seeking his first Grade I win. “Julien Leparoux worked him and said he galloped out really well. We are happy, and he cooled out well, so we are moving forward.”
Crichton expressed satisfaction with the colt’s Pat Day Mile performance.
“It was really gratifying to see him run that way. That was our biggest win for sure, no doubt.”
“I think he is getting ready to put in another good run. He’s come out of that race full of energy and focus, and he’s doing really well. We are probably going to sit chilly in Louisville due to weather and ship to Saratoga after his next work.”
