On the main track at Saratoga Race Course on Sunday (June 1), Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Journalism posted a solid workout to confirm he’ll be entered in Saturday’s $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1).
Across the street, at the Oklahoma training track, Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Sovereignty had his final workout before the rivals meet again in the final leg of the Triple Crown.
It was a big day at the Spa. Racing is finishing up at Aqueduct and moves upstate to Saratoga Springs, New York, for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival June 4-7. Yet horseplayers everywhere likely kept tabs on the activity at the Spa.
First, McCarthy confirmed Journalism will run in the Belmont after the Curlin colt covered 4 furlongs in: 47.54 with regular rider Umberto Rispoli aboard.
“Off of what I’ve seen – all the videos and what-have-you - the horse seems like he’s maintaining his edge, maintaining his form,” McCarthy said. “He put forth a heck of an effort in the Preakness. Coming back in three weeks’ time, obviously a solid piece of work here with little to no urging. It’s cooler up here, it seems like he’s enjoying himself – a fresh horse.”
Second, Sovereignty got in his final workout before the Belmont – 4 furlongs in :48.84 with exercise rider Neil Poznansky aboard.
“It was a maintenance-type breeze, and that is what we got,’’ trainer Bill Mott said.
Also Sunday, four-time Belmont winning trainer Todd Pletcher said he’ll enter a pair of 3-year-olds on Monday – longshots Crudo and Uncaged.
Crudo, co-owned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, worked 4 furlongs in 48.86 on Sunday. A son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, Crudo comes into the race off a 7 ½-length win in the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness undercard. John Velazquez has the call.
“He's had a good couple weeks since he ran,” Pletcher said. “It's undoubtedly a pretty strong field. The top three from the Derby look to be really good colts. We've always been really high on the way the horse trained. His last two races have been very good.”
Uncaged, a two-time winner but sixth in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) in his stakes debut on May 10, is co-owned by Mike Repole. The New York-based billionaire co-owned 2022 Belmont winner Mo Donegal and also has four second-place finishers in the race -- Mindframe in 2024; Forte, 2023; Nest in 2022; and Stay Thirsty in 2011.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
