Classic Causeway, who finished 11th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after stepping off and then re-entering the Kentucky Derby trail, found the winners' circle July 9 for the first time since sweeping both points preps at Tampa Bay Downs over the winter. Sent off at 26-1 in the Belmont Derby (G1), his first try on turf, Classic Causeway jumped to the early lead and carried the classy international field all the way around, holding by 3/4 length over Charlie Appleby raider Nations Pride.
Two of Classic Causeway's stablemates in the McPeek barn, both of whom also entered the Kentucky Derby, raced over the weekend as well. Tiz the Bomb, ninth in the Run for the Roses, finished ninth in the Belmont Derby. Rattle N Roll, scratched after not getting in from the Kentucky Derby also-eligible list, finished seventh in the Indiana Derby (G3) after clipping heels early and losing all chance.
Several Kentucky Derby alumni are pointing toward major early-summer races as well. Epicenter, who most recently worked on July 11 at Saratoga, is possible for the Jim Dandy (G2) July 30 at Saratoga. Cyberknife and Taiba are probable for the Haskell (G1), coming up July 23 at Monmouth Park, and Zandon is possible.
Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike returned to the work tab on July 9, working toward a later-summer goal: he is possible for the Travers (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 27.
| Derby | Horse | Last Race | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rich Strike | 6th, Belmont Stakes (G1) | Worked 4f July 9 at Mercury Equine Center |
| 2 | Epicenter | 2nd, Preakness (G1) | Worked 5f July 11 at Saratoga |
| 3 | Zandon | 3rd, Kentucky Derby (G1) | Worked 4f July 9 at Belmont |
| 4 | Simplification | 6th, Preakness (G1) | Worked 4f July 2 at Gulfstream Park |
| 5 | Mo Donegal | 1st, Belmont Stakes (G1) | Sidelined with bone bruising |
| 6 | Barber Road | 7th, Belmont Stakes (G1) | No works since last race |
| 7 | Tawny Port | 1st, Ohio Derby (G3) | Worked 5f July 10 at Saratoga |
| 8 | Smile Happy | 8th, Kentucky Derby (G1) | No works since last race |
| 9 | Tiz the Bomb | 9th, Belmont Derby (G1) | No works since last race |
| 10 | Zozos | 10th, Kentucky Derby (G1) | No works since last race |
| 11 | Classic Causeway | 1st, Belmont Derby (G1) | No works since last race |
| 12 | Taiba | 12th, Kentucky Derby (G1) | Worked 6f July 7 at Santa Anita |
| 13 | Crown Pride (JPN) | 13th, Kentucky Derby (G1) | No works since last race |
| 14 | Happy Jack | 1st, Allowance Optional Claiming (June 19, CD) | Worked 4f July 4 at Keeneland |
| 15 | Messier | 15th, Kentucky Derby (G1) | Worked 4f June 18 at Santa Anita |
| 16 | White Abarrio | 2nd, Ohio Derby (G3) | Worked 4f July 10 at Gulfstream Park |
| 17 | Charge It | 1st, Dwyer (G3) | No works since last race |
| 18 | Cyberknife | 1st, Matt Winn (G3) | Worked 6f July 9 at Churchill Downs |
| 19 | Pioneer of Medina | 19th, Kentucky Derby (G1) | Worked 4f July 8 at Belmont |
| 20 | Summer Is Tomorrow | 20th, Kentucky Derby (G1) | No works since last race |
| SCR | Ethereal Road | 6th, Ohio Derby (G3) | No works since last race |
| SCR | Rattle N Roll | 7th, Indiana Derby (G3) | No works since last race |
Preakness contenders Skippylongstocking, Simplification, Happy Jack, and Fenwick all returned to the work tab for the first time since their most recent starts within the last nine days, meaning every Preakness entrant is now actively breezing again.
The first of the Preakness contenders who may be back in action is Secret Oath, possible for the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) on July 23.
Preakness winner Early Voting is nominated for the Haskell (G1) but is not expected to go to Monmouth. Instead, he is being considered for the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga. Third-place Creative Minister is probable for the other local Travers (G1) prep, the Curlin Stakes, scheduled for July 29 at Saratoga.
| Preakness | Horse | Last Race | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Early Voting | 1st, Preakness (G1) | Worked 5f July 9 at Belmont |
| 2 | Epicenter | 2nd, Preakness (G1) | Worked 5f July 11 at Saratoga |
| 3 | Creative Minister | 5th, Belmont (G1) | Worked 4f July 9 at Saratoga |
| 4 | Secret Oath | 4th, Preakness (G1) | Worked 6f July 5 at Churchill Downs |
| 5 | Skippylongstocking | 3rd, Belmont (G1) | Worked 4f July 10 at Saratoga |
| 6 | Simplification | 6th, Preakness (G1) | Worked 4f July 2 at Gulfstream Park |
| 7 | Armagnac | 7th, Preakness (G1) | Worked 5f July 4 at Santa Anita |
| 8 | Happy Jack | 1st, Allowance optional claiming (June 19, CD) | Worked 5f July 4 at Keeneland |
| 9 | Fenwick | 9th, Preakness (G1) | Worked 4f July 8 at Churchill Downs |
With the exception of Mo Donegal and Barber Road, the Belmont contenders have retuned to the work tab to tighten the screws for their summer goals.
Second-place Nest might be the first one back in action, as she is possible for the Coaching Club American Oaks. Aug. 6 at Mountaineer, Skippylongstocking probably will return to action in the West Virginia Derby (G3).
| Belmont | Horse | Last Race | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mo Donegal | 1st, Belmont (G1) | Sidelined with bone bruising |
| 2 | Nest | 2nd, Belmont (G1) | Worked 5f July 8 at Belmont Park |
| 3 | Skippylongstocking | 3rd, Belmont (G1) | Worked 4f July 10 at Saratoga |
| 4 | We the People | 4th, Belmont (G1) | Worked 5f July 8 at WinStar Training Center |
| 5 | Creative Minister | 5th, Belmont (G1) | Worked 4f July 9 at Saratoga |
| 6 | Rich Strike | 6th, Belmont (G1) | Worked 4f July 9 at Mercury Equine Center |
| 7 | Barber Road | 7th, Belmont (G1) | No works since last race |
| 8 | Golden Glider | 8th, Belmont (G1) | Worked 4f July 2 at Belmont Park |
