Bobby Flay and James Ventura's Crudo (Justify) confirmed his readiness for Saturday's GI Belmont Stakes with a four-furlong work in :48.86 (4/17) over the Oklahoma training track Sunday in Saratoga. Last-out winner of the Sir Barton Stakes, the colt worked in company with GI Woody Stephens Stakes contender Gate to Wire (Munnings). He broke off about one length back and traveled to the outside of Gate to Wire as NYRA clockers timed him through splits of :12 4/5, :24 4/5, and out in 1:01 3/5 and 1:14 3/5.
“I thought it was an excellent move,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He worked really well, galloped out nicely. I was very pleased with him. He's had a good couple weeks since he ran.”
Crudo, a front-running 7 1/4-length maiden winner going seven furlongs at Keeneland Apr. 19, romped home by 7 1/2 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton at Pimilco May 17. He will be making his fourth lifetime start in the Belmont.
“It's undoubtedly a pretty strong field,” Pletcher said. “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.”
Pletcher will also saddle WinStar Farm and Repole Stable's Uncaged (Curlin) in the Belmont.
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