Make Music for Me, one of 10 hopefuls for
the 142nd running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on
Saturday, June 5, jogged for a second day around the Belmont Park oval right
after the renovation break, said exercise rider Andy Durnin.
The Bernstein colt, who had a rigorous one-mile workout
Sunday morning, walked Monday and jogged Tuesday, will return to galloping
tomorrow, said Durnin.
“I don’t think I could keep him on the ground otherwise,”
said Durnin. “Even today, when a couple went by breezing, he got a little
fresh. The pony had to pull him up.”
Trainer Alexis Barba is scheduled to return from California this weekend for Make Music for Me’s final
breeze on Sunday, and will remain in New York
through the Belmont.
Next Tuesday morning, Barba, who would become the first woman to saddle a
classic winner should Make Music for Me win the Belmont,
will travel to Manhattan for a photo opportunity
at the Empire State Building.
Last year, trainer Tim Ice participated in the photo op, and
four days later his Summer Bird upset the Belmont Stakes.
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In Saratoga Springs, Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito reported
that his duo of Ice Box and Fly Down continue
to do well as he prepares them for the Belmont Stakes.
“Right now, everything is positive and we want to keep it
that way,” he said. “I’m going to stay here, take care of the horses, and go
from there.”
Wednesday, Ice Box galloped almost two miles over the
Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course, and Zito said he would like to
breeze the Kentucky Derby runner-up Thursday morning, weather permitting.
Fly Down, who comes into the 1 ½ mile Belmont off a
six-length victory over Drosselmeyer in the Grade 2 Dwyer, came out of last
Saturday’s 49.40 half-mile breeze in good order and will work once more, either
Sunday or Monday, before the Belmont, said Zito.
Zito said he will remain upstate until next Wednesday when
he will come back to Belmont
with both Ice Box and Fly Down.
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After galloping 1 ½ miles around the Belmont Park
oval this morning, Preakness runner-up First Dude was treated
to a lengthy grazing session in the clover outside Mike Maker’s barn.
“He’s doing great,” said exercise rider Tammy Fox, who is
overseeing First Dude’s preparations for the 142nd running of the
Belmont Stakes until trainer Dale Romans’ scheduled arrival on Friday. “He’s
getting over the track fine; he’s just floating right over it. He’s such a big
horse with a long stride, and you don’t feel like he’s doing anything. He’s
real easy on himself.”
The Stephen Got Even will have his final breeze for the Belmont on Saturday
morning, said Fox.
Others heading to the Belmont include Lone Star Derby winner
Game On Dude, who breezed seven furlongs in 1:26.60 at Santa
Anita on Tuesday; Blue Grass winner Stately Victor,
who went five furlongs in 59.40 Tuesday at the Trackside training center in
Kentucky; Drosselmeyer, Spangled Star, Stay Put,
and Uptowncharlybrown.
Stately Victor and Stay Put are scheduled to arrive in New York on Thursday,
while Game On Dude will arrive next Tuesday.