Photo: Kevin Creative (Kevin House)
Lars Becdelamotte, assistant to trainer Ken McPeek, said both Shortleaf
Stable’s Atigun and
Magdalena Racing and Mojallali Stables’ Unstoppable
U are probable for the Belmont Stakes after the pair turned in
separate breezes on Saturday.
“I’m very happy with both works,” said Becdelamotte.
“Right now, I think both are going to the Belmont Stakes. Atigun is 100
percent, and Unstoppable U is 99 percent.”
Atigun went four furlongs in 46.77, quickest of 44 moves at the
distance.
“He looked like he handled the track unbelievably,” said
Becdelamotte of Atigun, winner of a May 5 optional claimer at Churchill Downs.
Lightly raced Unstoppable U had an unexpected target during his breeze
but jockey Junior Alvarado was able to restrain the colt, who was eager to
pursue the worker in front of him. Like Atigun, Unstoppable U earned a bullet
for his effort as he went five furlongs in 59.22.
“Junior didn’t want to let the horse just run because he
would have run the other horse down and go in 58 and change,” said
Becdelamotte. “But at the same time, he let him run a little bit. No
concerns about it.”
Both Atigun and Unstoppable U are tentatively scheduled to breeze five
furlongs next Saturday, according to Becdelamotte.