by New York Racing Association Press Release
June 1, 2019
ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Todd Pletcher said he was pleased with the final breezes from a bevy of Belmont Stakes Racing Festival contenders on Saturday morning at Belmont Park.
Visiting the main track shortly after the renovation break were Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets contenders Intrepid Heart and Spinoff along with Grade 1 Runhappy Metropolitan contender Coal Front.
Working in company with recent maiden winner Principled, Spinoff completed five furlongs in 1:02.16 seconds.
"I thought he went well," said Pletcher. "He seemed very relaxed and got into a good comfortable rhythm. He stayed steady all the way around and put in a nice seven-eighths gallop out. He had a really strong workout last week, so we didn't have to do quite as much today. He seemed happy and moving well."
The Wertheimer and Frere homebred Hard Spun colt, who most notably ran second in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby in March, will enter the Grade 1 Belmont following an 18th place finish in the Kentucky Derby over a muddy track.
"It looked like he never really appreciated the off going in that race," said Pletcher. "Since then he's seemed to continue to move forward and he's been training well so we're expecting a better effort."
Intrepid Heart, for owners Robert and Lawana Low, worked in blinkers on the inside of graded stakes placed stablemate Outshine, completing five furlongs in 1:00.92.
"I thought he [Intrepid Heart] had another good work and strong gallop out," said Pletcher. "I had him finish a mile in 1:38 and change. I think we got a solid work out of him. He seemed to be happy and moving well. He worked on the outside last time, so I just wanted to work him again with the blinkers on and have him on the inside this time and thought it went smoothly."
Multiple graded stakes winner Coal Front, preparing to make his first start since an impressive victory in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile at Meydan in Dubai, worked alone with regular rider Jose Ortiz aboard and completed four furlongs in 50.02.
"Very solid work," said Pletcher. "Consistent with what he's been doing. He got into a nice rhythm. We're happy with how he's been doing since Dubai."
On the Belmont training track, Marconi completed five furlongs in 1:01.20 looking towards a start in the Grade 2 Woodford Reserve Brooklyn Invitational.
"Very solid work from him," said Pletcher. "We've been real happy with how he's been doing since his win last out in the Flat Out."
Wrapping up Pletcher's busy morning of workouts was graded stakes winner Bellavais, who breezed four furlongs in 49.09 seconds on the inner turf in preparation for the Grade 1 Longines Just a Game.