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| Staff Writer |
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The Belmont Stakes field continues to take shape as connections of six potential runners make final preparations for the June 7 contest at Saratoga. Heart of Honor, the European challenger who endured a torrid experience in the starting gates at the Preakness Stakes, remains on track for trainer Jamie Osborne despite finishing fifth, beaten 8¾ lengths by Journalism.
Osborne has identified the starting stalls as the primary obstacle preventing his charge from showing his true ability on American soil. The trainer planned extensive gate practice sessions with assistant Jimmy McCarthy at Saratoga to address the issue that cost Heart of Honor dearly at Pimlico.
"I have a theory that really the gate has never been his strength," Osborne said from England. "We've had to do a lot of work with him. Before the U.A.E. Derby, we were very intensive, and he was really good on that occasion. He probably left the gate first, which was very different than he had before."
The son of Galileo had shown promising form in Dubai, finishing second by a nose to Admire Daytona in the UAE Derby after breaking smartly from the stalls. However, his Preakness effort was undermined before the race began.
"On the day he fluffed his lines," Osborne explained. "The key to him is being a little bit more relaxed when he goes in. He half fell in love with his pony before the Preakness, that didn't help him. His brain wasn't where we wanted it when we loaded, consequently, he was very slow. Whatever chance we had in that race we did give it away at the gate."
Despite the disappointing result, Osborne believes the experience may benefit his horse, noting that Heart of Honor "only ran the last part of the Preakness" and therefore "didn't give himself a particularly hard race." Saffie Osborne retains the ride for the Belmont Stakes after her debut American experience aboard the colt.
Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby winner, provided a stirring performance in his latest workout at Saratoga, breezing five furlongs in 1:02.45 over a good surface alongside established Group One winner Arthur's Ride. The Bill Mott trainee demonstrated the aggressive nature that has developed since his Churchill Downs triumph.
Those who braved the cold and rain were treated to an impressive display as Sovereignty overcame a two-length deficit to his workmate, gradually closing the gap before asserting his superiority approaching the wire. The pair completed an opening three furlongs in 37.36 before Sovereignty edged ahead while appearing to be travelling easiest of the duo.
"I don't know how the track was playing timewise after they harrowed it at the break, but I thought [the work] was very good," Mott said. "He was a little strong in the warmup, but [exercise rider Neil Poznansky] got him in behind, and when he tipped him out, he kind of went right to the other horse. The plan was to sit off, join up, and finish together and that's exactly what he did."
The trainer has noticed a marked change in Sovereignty since his 1½-length victory over Journalism in the Derby. "I think he's gotten a little stronger and a little more aggressive than he was at Churchill Downs prior to the Derby, but it certainly hasn't set him back any. He looks great," Mott observed. "I don't know about the horse, but poor Neil was probably a little worn out. He was really a handful this morning."
While Journalism continues his regular routine at Saratoga, galloping approximately 1⅛ miles over the sealed and muddy main track, his participation in the Belmont Stakes remains undecided. Trainer Michael McCarthy is expected to arrive later this week to assess the Preakness winner before making a final commitment, employing the same evaluation process used before the Pimlico contest.
Regular exercise rider Mark Witkowski took a cautious approach with Journalism given the track conditions, allowing the colt to complete his exercise at a steady pace. The 3YO has looked sharp since arriving from Baltimore, maintaining his fitness while connections deliberate over the 1¼-mile test.
Hill Road, the Gr.3 Peter Pan Stakes winner, completed a half-mile workout in 49.05 seconds at Belmont Park under the guidance of trainer Chad Brown. Working alongside maiden winner Lordship, Hill Road demonstrated the stamina-laden style that characterises Brown's approach to the Classic series.
The pair maintained a close company through fractions of 13.72 and 25.47 seconds before completing their final quarter in 23.58 seconds. Their gallop-out times of 1:01.97 for five furlongs and 1:15.15 for six furlongs satisfied Brown's requirements.
"I just wanted a steady work with a strong gallop-out," Brown explained. "These are staying horses. The best part of their works and their races will be the late stages. I liked what I saw around the turn. Galloping out was really what I was looking for. Hill Road is very fit now. He's in a good part of his form cycle. I'm just looking to maintain where I’m with that horse."
The Quality Road colt has compiled an impressive American record despite limited opportunities. Following a 61-1 third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile under previous trainer Adrian Murray, Hill Road joined Brown's string and finished third in the Tampa Bay Derby behind Owen Almighty. After missing the Wood Memorial due to illness, he rallied from seventh to capture the Peter Pan Stakes.
Brown faces a jockey dilemma as Flavien Prat, who rode Hill Road to Peter Pan success, has committed to Baeza, the Kentucky Derby third. Hill Road will remain at Belmont Park for his final pre-race workout before shipping to Saratoga.
The expected field also includes Rodriguez, winner of the Wood Memorial, and Baeza, both currently based at Santa Anita. Baeza is scheduled to ship east, while Rodriguez's connections finalise travel arrangements.
Entries close on Sunday with the post-position draw scheduled for Monday, setting the stage for what promises to be a compelling renewal of the final leg of American racing's Triple Crown series.