Photo: Kevin Creative (Kevin House)
Trainer Ken McPeek spoke highly of the 1 ½-mile Tuesday gallops of Atigun and Unstoppable U
as they train for their attempt to emulate Sarava, McPeek’s protégé
who ended War Emblem’s Triple Crown bid with a 70-1 upset in the 2002
Belmont Stakes. McPeek called the gallops “Sarava gallops,” having used
the same routine with Sarava prior to his Belmont upset.
“We do that with all of our young horses,”
said McPeek. “We start that routine early in their career where they
need to understand at what point to start their work and at what point
to finish it. I think repetition is a good idea.”
McPeek said he is leaning toward running
Magdalena Racing and Mojallali Stables’ Unstoppable U in the Belmont,
but he did note the undefeated Exchange Rate colt did a much better job
changing leads in Tuesday’s gallop than he did in Sunday’s breeze. The
trainer said he’ll wait until Wednesday, the day entries are taken for
the Belmont, to make a final decision.
“[Exercise rider] Rafael Penna has done a
great job [with Unstoppable U],” said McPeek. “The horse switches on
cue for Rafael. Rafael, unfortunately, is almost 60, so he can’t ride
on Saturday. Rafael knows how to get him to switch. He has his number. I
don’t know why Junior Alvarado has had a little trouble getting him to
switch leads. In his first race he didn’t switch, and in his second
race he was late. In workouts, he didn’t switch at all in the first one
and in the second one he was late again. If he’s going to win this
race, he’s got to hit on cue.”
Atigun, owned by Shortleaf Stable, is confirmed for the Belmont Stakes, McPeek said.