Cherry Wine, Brody's Cause breeze for Belmont
Dale Romans' Belmont S. (G1) Cherry Wine and Brody's Cause wrapped up their major preparations for the final jewel of the Triple Crown on June 11, undertaking very separate workouts Saturday morning at Belmont Park.
Walking onto the main track shortly after the renovation break, Preakness (G1) runner-up Cherry Wine breezed five furlongs in 1:00.12 with exercise rider Faustino Aguilar in the saddle. Blue Grass (G1) winner Brody's Cause, who finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby (G1), set down into the lane shortly after, covering three furlongs in :37.11 while ridden by his regular jockey Luis Saez.
"I was pleased with the way they both worked," Romans said. "They both showed good energy. They came back to the barn happy. We just want to sharpen them both up. By this time, they've been on the Triple Crown trail a long time. They are fit horses, and we just want them sharp and ready to roll."
Preakness winner Exaggerator completed a two-minute lick on the main track Saturday morning. The Preakness winner is expected to walk Sunday, gallop on Monday and conduct a final breeze on Tuesday before the Belmont.
"He's maturing and seems a little more relaxed and focused." said Julie Clark, an assistant to trainer Keith Desormeaux. "He looks good."
Trainer Todd Pletcher reported Saturday morning that his two Belmont contenders, Destin and Stradivari, each jogged one mile on the training track and stood at the starting gate.
"Both seemed energetic and enthusiastic [in their jogs] and stood well at the gate," Pletcher said.
(NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography)
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