Juddmonte Farms's Tacitus (Tapit), who rallied from 16th to cross the line fourth before being promoted to third in the GI Kentucky Derby May 4, returned to the worktab Saturday morning as he begins preparations for an appearance in the GI Belmont S. June 9.
Under the watchful eye of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, the gray son of champion Close Hatches (Unbridled's Song) breezed a half-mile in :48.57 just after 6 a.m. in the company of 2017 GIII Illinois Derby winner Multiplier (The Factor) over the Belmont main track (XBTV video). He covered the opening quarter-mile in :24.3 and galloped out five panels in 1:01.44 as he edged away from his workmate.
“It all went smoothly. It was his first breeze back and exactly what we wanted,” said Mott. “It's what I expected. They look like a good team together.”
The conditioner said that Derby winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Country House (Lookin At Lucky) has been tack-walking since returning to Churchill this past Wednesday following an examination at Rood and Riddle in Lexington.
“I'll leave him there for a couple weeks. I want to make sure that he's healthy before we move him and make sure everything is good as it should be,” said Mott.
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