Continued wet weather in the New York metropolitan area has left the final serious works of several contenders for the 141st running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 6 up in the air.
Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Dunkirk and Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren’s Charitable Man, who were both scheduled to breeze Saturday morning, may instead have their final moves at Belmont Park on Sunday. “Right now, Dunkirk is likely to breeze on Sunday after the break,” said trainer Todd Pletcher of the gray son of Unbridled’s Song, 11th in the Kentucky Derby. “That may change depending on the condition of the track, but Sunday will be fine. John Velazquez will be aboard.”
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Charitable Man, winner of the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes, might wait until Sunday or even Monday to breeze. “We always leave a window of a day or so,” said McLaughlin, adding: “In 2006, it rained for two weeks leading up to the Belmont Stakes and the day Jazil was supposed to breeze, the track was sloppy, and I walked out on the track and said, ‘You know what? He’s fit. He doesn’t need to work.’ So he doesn’t work the week leading up to the race, and he wins.”
As well, Robert V. LaPenta’s duo of Miner’s Escape, winner of the Frederico Tesio, and Brave Victory, third in the Peter Pan, will work for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito either Saturday or Sunday, depending on the weather.
Summer Bird, sixth in the Derby, will have his final work on Saturday as scheduled, said trainer Tim Ice. “As long as the track is safe, he’ll go after the break,” said Ice. “Kent Desormeaux will be aboard.”
Chocolate Candy, Flying Private, Luv Gov, Mine That Bird, Mr. Hot Stuff, and possibly Rachel Alexandra are also being pointed toward the 11/2-mile “Test of the Champion.” Nowhere to Hide, also trained by Zito, is questionable.
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