Belmont Park’s stakes program kicks off April 30 with the 82nd
running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Westchester and multiple graded stakes winner Haynesfield
tuned up for his 2011 debut in the one-mile race with a five-furlong work in
1:00.43 over Belmont’s main track.
The move was the fastest of eight at the distance over the
“good” main track, and marked the fourth straight bullet move for Turtle Bird
Stable’s 5-year-old son of Speightstown since he returned to training in March.
“He went very well,” said Toby Sheets, assistant to trainer
Steve Asmussen, of Haynesfield. “As long as he comes out of it well, we’ll be
on target for the Westchester.”
Haynesfield, winner of more than $1.1 million, was 3-1-0
from six starts last year, including victories in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold
Cup and the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap along with a runner-up finish to Jersey Town
in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile. He was named New York-bred Horse of the Year in
2010.
Also on Asmussen’s worktab was Gold Square’s Rule by
Night, who went five furlongs in 1:01.43 as he nears his 4-year-old bow.
Sheets said he had not yet decided where to start the Malibu Moon colt.