Toby Sheets

GI Preakness S. winner National Treasure (Quality Road) worked five furlongs in :59.55 seconds over Belmont Park's main track on Monday in preparation for Saturday's $1.5 million GI Belmont S. With exercise rider Erick Garcia aboard, the colt galloped out six furlongs in 1:11.20 and seven furlongs in 1:25.20. "He worked very well this morning," trainer Bob Baffert's assistant, Jimmy Barnes, said. "It's a big track and you can find yourself lost out there. Erick did an excellent job working him and now we're just waiting for the race." National...

Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Red Route One (Gun Runner), beaten just under five lengths when fourth to National Treasure (Quality Road) in the GI Preakness S. May 20, worked an easy half-mile in :50.85 at Belmont Park Monday morning as he readies for his next start in the GI Belmont S. Presented by NYRA Bets June 10. Trained by Steve Asmussen, who conditioned Creator (Tapit) to victory in the 2016 renewal, the chestnut worked on his own and NYRA clockers caught him galloping out five furlongs in 1:04. "It was good,...

Undefeated Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) looks to continue his domination of the 2-year-old colt division as the headliner in Belmont's GI Champagne S. Saturday, a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup. A debut winner at Churchill June 19, the bay scored a decisive win in the GII Saratoga Special S. Aug. 7 and was an impressive victor of the GI Runhappy Hopeful S. at Saratoga Sept. 7, earning a 95 Beyer Speed Figure. "He handles everything well," said trainer Steve Asmussen's Belmont Park-based assistant trainer Toby Sheets. "Just...

Calumet Farm's homebred Jungle Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}) posted a half-mile breeze in :50.50 (12/15) over the Belmont training track Tuesday in preparation for Saturday's GI Belmont S. Winner of the Clever Trevor S. at Remington Park last November, the bay colt is coming off an eighth-place effort in the May 2 GI Arkanas Derby. "It was a nice easy half in :50 and change," said Toby Sheets, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. "He galloped out in a minute. Not a big gallop out, but we're very happy with it....