Chester and Mary Broman’s
Empire Classic winner Friend Or Foe worked Saturday morning at Belmont Park in preparation for his next
engagement, an expected start in the Grade 1, $250,000 Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile
Handicap on November 27 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
The son of Friends Lake was clocked in 1:00.82 for five furlongs over
the Belmont
training oval, second-fastest of 20 at the distance.
“He’s a happy camper,” said trainer John Kimmel. “I would
have to say that he came out of the Empire Classic probably the best he’s ever
come out of a race. Attitude-wise he was right back into the feed tub, very
solid on the racetrack and it actually looks to me like he might have put some
weight on after the race. His work yesterday was very pleasing to watch. He set
off kind, and when he came back wouldn’t have blown out a match. He’s very
sharp right now, so we’ll come back [and work] next weekend with a couple of
days to play with if we get some inclement weather, and then we’ll have a date
on the 27th.”
Undefeated in his first three starts including a 2 ½-length
win over fellow New York-breds in the Mike Lee on June 20 at Belmont, Friend Or
Foe next stepped into open company, finishing a solid fourth in the Grade 2 Jim
Dandy on July 31 at Saratoga, then ran sixth in the Grade 1 Travers following a
troubled trip.
Sidelined by an infection after the August 28 Travers,
Friend Or Foe made a triumphant comeback in the Empire Classic on October 23,
winning by five lengths to earn himself another chance in graded company.