Todd Pletcher's GI Belmont S. duo Spinoff (Hard Spun) and 'TDN Rising Star' Intrepid Heart (Tapit) put in their final breezes for the Triple Crown's final leg Saturday on the Belmont main track. Spinoff worked in company with recent maiden winner Principled (Medaglia d'Oro), covering five furlongs in 1:02.16 (20/28) (video).
“I thought he went well,” Pletcher said. “He seemed very relaxed and got into a good comfortable rhythm. He stayed steady all the way around and put in a nice seven-eighths gallop out. He had a really strong workout last week, so we didn't have to do quite as much today. He seemed happy and moving well.”
With John Velazquez aboard and blinkers on, Intrepid Heart breezed five panels in 1:00.92 (9/28) (video) in company with GSP Outshine (Malibu Moon).
“I thought he [Intrepid Heart] had another good work and strong gallop out,” Pletcher said. “I had him finish a mile in 1:38 and change. I think we got a solid work out of him. He seemed to be happy and moving well. He worked on the outside last time, so I just wanted to work him again with the blinkers on and have him on the inside this time and thought it went smoothly.”
Pletcher also worked recent G2 Godolphin Mile victor and 'TDN Rising Star' Coal Front (Stay Thirsty), who is scheduled to run in a very salty renewal of the GI Met Mile H. on Belmont day June 8. The bay went a half-mile in :50.02 (57/68) with jockey Jose Ortiz in the irons.
“Very solid work,” Pletcher said. “Consistent with what he's been doing. He got into a nice rhythm. We're happy with how he's been doing since Dubai.”
Graded stakes winner Tax (Arch) was also on the worktab Saturday in Elmont, but his Belmont status is still undetermined. The gelding covered four furlongs in :49.03 on the Belmont main track in company with stablemate Blurred Line (Girolamo) (33/68) (video). Trainer Danny Gargan said the decision on whether the dark bay will run in the Belmont or not was forthcoming.
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