Scorching

Sedburys Ghost came flying late to take the Plate Trial Stakes and throw his name into the mix for next month's King's Plate, a race won by his sire in 2015. The 7-1 shot settled in midpack around the first turn as Scorching prompted the pace set by longshot Unbridled Weather and favored Notorious Gangster trailed the field. The pack began bunching up as the half went up in :47.22 and second choice Scorching took charge into the far turn, but Sedburys Ghost was inching ominously through traffic with Notorious...

Multiple stakes winner Scorching (Mo Town), aiming for his graded stakes debut in the Mar. 1 GIII Gotham Stakes, worked five furlongs in 1:04.22 (5/7) over the dirt training track at Belmont Park Saturday for trainer John Charalambous. It was the fourth local work for the Ontario-bred colt, who is stabled in the barn of trainer Michael Miceli. "He went by himself, and he breezed well," Charalambous said. "The track was slow. Sahin Civaci was supposed to breeze him, but he's hurt, so we called an audible and put one...

Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch's Scorching (Mo Town) takes aim at the Road to the Kentucky Derby as he targets the Mar. 1 GIII Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack. The one-turn mile for sophomores awards 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-five finishers. Trained by John Charalambous, the Ontario-bred colt was last seen winning the restricted Oct. 6 Cup and Saucer Stakes over the Woodbine Racetrack turf. The CTHS sale graduate scored the victory by disqualification after Ashley's Archer (Karakontie {Jpn}) got his nose down first on the wire...

Cut the Dust (Not This Time) ran a hole in the wind on this unveiling and cruised home to the easiest of victories, earning a 'TDN Rising Star' nod in the process. Breaking well with the field and out to take command quickly, the chestnut was still in hand as he distanced himself from his rivals passing the three furlong pole after :22.48 and :45.29 splits. He had built up a six length lead turning for home and from there on, the question was how much he'd like to win...