Samuel F. Henderson's Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft), a fast-closing fifth in the GI Kentucky Derby May 7, continued his preparations for a start in the June 11 GI Belmont S. with a six-furlong breeze in 1:12.40 Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. According to Churchill clockers, the bay clicked off splits of :24.40, :36.60, :48.60 and 1:00.20 under pilot Joe Rocco, Jr., before galloping out seven furlongs in 1:25.20.
“I thought he looked good,” said trainer Donnie Von Hemel. “He went real smooth and picked up as he went, galloped out real smooth. Everything seems to be in order–it's just what we're looking for. I realize that the pace won't be :45 [for the half-mile] in the Belmont, but we also won't be 20 lengths back either. I just think this horse can run a mile-and-a-half–his pedigree says he can. I think our best chance to get a Grade I is in that race.”
Sunday's work comes on the heels of a five-panel breeze in 1:00.60 beneath the Twin Spires May 23, the sophomore's first drill since the Derby.
Von Hemel said that Suddenbreakingnews, recently discovered to be a ridgling after previously being listed as a gelding, is scheduled to ship to Belmont Park Tuesday, June 7. The GIII Southwest S. winner will be piloted by Hall of Famer Mike Smith for the first time in his career in the final jewel of the Triple Crown.
While Suddenbreakingnews will push onward, trainer Tom Amoss confirmed Sunday that G M B Racing's Mo Tom (Uncle Mo), a troubled eighth in the Kentucky Derby, will bypass the Belmont and instead point toward the Ohio Derby at Thistledown June 25.
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