Albaugh Family Stables' J Boys Echo (Mineshaft) breezed five furlongs in 1:00 flat (4/29) at Churchill Downs Saturday morning in preparation for next week's GI Belmont S.
“I think this is the best he's ever worked,” trainer Dale Romans said. “He's been training great and will ship to New York Tuesday morning.”
With exercise rider Tammy Fox in the irons, J Boys Echo worked in company with maiden winner Reedini (Bernardini) through splits of :23 and :47.40 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.80.
J Boys Echo captured the GIII Gotham S. in March. He was fourth in the Apr. 8 GII Toyota Blue Grass S. and is coming off a 15th-place finish in the May 6 GI Kentucky Derby.
Robby Albarado has been confirmed to ride the bay colt in Saturday's Belmont. Albarado has been named on two horses Thursday, his first mounts since fracturing his leg in a spill at Keeneland Apr. 23.
“If I'm not ready, I won't do that to Dale,” Albarado told Jennie Rees. “If I feel I'm not ready, I won't take a chance. I'm part of a team here. I'm pulling for them whether I ride for them or not.”
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