Clearing out for the big dogs at Belmont
Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another is bathed after a workout at Belmont Park. (June 1, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
Twenty-four hours after his close call with a loose horse, Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another had Belmont Park's vast main track almost to himself Friday. After the incident, the New York Racing Association reserved a daily slot from 8:30-8:45 a.m. for Belmont Stakes contenders.
I'll Have Another's trainer, Doug O'Neill, praised the decision.
"I really appreciate it, and I just think it's a safer environment for everybody," he said. "[Non-Belmont Stakes] horses aren't used to the media, so it's safer for them and their exercise riders."
The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner galloped his usual 1½ miles, picking up the pace in the final 3 furlongs. "He went great," O'Neill said. "He's maintained his great stride."
O'Neill reiterated he had no plans for a timed workout before next Saturday's 1½-mile Belmont. "No, not unless he has a hiccup where he can't gallop for a day or two," he said.
All Belmont Stakes runners are required to be in a special barn by noon Wednesday. O'Neill said he planned to move I'll Have Another and his companion, stable pony Lava Man, into the stakes barn after training Monday. "The stewards are letting us have Lava Man there, which is great," he said. "Horses are used to being with their buddies."
Saturday workouts
Trainer Dale Romans said Dullahan almost certainly will breeze Saturday morning, rain or shine. Street Life, Atigun and Unstoppable U are tentatively scheduled to work Saturday, depending on track condition. Union Rags will breeze at Fair Hill in Maryland on Saturday or Sunday . . . Optimizer breezed 5 furlongs in 1:003/5 at Churchill Downs.
