In California,
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert sent Lone Star Derby winner Game On Dude
out for a six-furlong tune-up, with Santa Anita clockers crediting the Awesome
Again gelding with a six-furlong move in 1:12.40, handily out of the gate.
Baffert said he had Game On Dude going five furlongs in :59
4/5.
“When we first purchased him, he had gate problems,” said
Baffert, who is scheduled to arrive Wednesday, as is the horse. “I can’t stand
it when they don’t break running. Today he was good in the gate, tracked the
other horse, and wasn’t too tired when he got back. He’s coming into the race
very well. I liked what I saw today; if I didn’t I wouldn’t bring him.”
Baffert won the Belmont
in 2001 with Point Given; three other times, he watched as the Triple Crown
hopes were dashed for Silver Charm, Real Quiet, and War Emblem.
“I was watching TVG the other day and they had a show on the
Triple Crown,” said Baffert. “I sat there and tortured myself. My wife actually
asked me, ‘Why are you sitting there are torturing yourself?’ I still can’t
believe Real Quiet got beat.”
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Expected Belmont
starter Stay Put jogged over the main track Monday following an easy
half-mile breeze in 50.62 on Sunday.
“I took him out and jogged today, he went fine and he’s
doing well,’ said Loren Diego, exercise rider and assistant to trainer Steve
Margolis. “He’s going to walk tomorrow and go back to the track Wednesday to
gallop, and he’ll gallop three days in a row. And then, race day.
Steve will be here tomorrow morning.”
Winner of an optional claimer at Churchill Downs on Derby
Day, Stay Put arrived at Belmont
Park on Thursday,
galloping over the main track twice prior to Sunday’s move.
“He came back from the work well,” Diego added. “I liked the
way he was acting on the track this morning. He was feeling good, acting
up – like he was ready to gallop.”