Emily Bushnell and Ric Waldman's Resilience (Into Mischief), most recently sixth behind Mystik Dan (Goldencents) in the GI Kentucky Derby May 4, is under consideration for the June 8 GI Belmont S., trainer Bill Mott told the NYRA media office Friday.
The Hall of Famer said a decision would likely come this weekend after the GII Wood Memorial S. winner breezes at Saratoga.
“We've got some discussions to have with the owners, but we're giving it strong consideration,” Mott said. “We're going to work on the weekend and once he breezes we'll know what we're going to do.”
Resilience had his first work since the Derby on May 27, going an easy half-mile in :50.45 (5/7) over the Oklahoma training track.
A pair of runners owned by George Krikorian recorded workouts Friday morning at Saratoga. Three-time Grade I winner War Like Goddess (English Channel) tuned up for her 7-year-old debut in the GII New York S. with a four-furlong move that was timed in :50.65 (41/53).
“I was happy with her work this morning,” Mott said of War Like Goddess, who was a pace-disadvantaged sixth in last year's New York S. over a mile and a quarter. With the shift to Saratoga, this year's race will be contested over 9 1/2 furlongs.
Eclipse Award-winning juvenile filly Just F Y I (Justify) went a bullet five-eighths in 1:01.20 (1/11) at Oklahoma as she readies for a potential rematch with GI Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in the GI Acorn S. June 8. The latter remains a possibility for the GI Belmont S., according to trainer Ken McPeek.
Grade I Turf Winners Go Around For Brown
A trio of top-level winning turf distaffers from the barn of Chad Brown prepped for Belmont Stakes Racing Festival engagements Friday morning.
Shortly after 10 a.m., Whitebeam (GB) (Caravaggio) covered five furlongs in 1:00 3/5, while Gina Romantica (Into Mischief) went a similar distance in 1:00 1/5. McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}) worked in the company of her Grade II-placed stablemate Coppice (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and the duo were timed in 1:00 4/5.
“Whitebeam went great, super,” said Brown. “Then Gina Romantica went solo and I was very happy with her. It was a nice team with McKulick and Coppice, and they did just was I was looking for them to do. They've all been training excellent.”
Whitebeam, Coppice and Gina Romantica are set to be joined by barnmates Chili Flag (Fr) (Cityscape {GB})–who defeated Coppice in the GII Distaff Turf Mile May 4–and Beaute Cachee (Fr) (Literato {Fr}), all-the-way winner of the GI Jenny Wiley S., in the GI Just A Game S. June 7.
Chili Flag and Beaute Cachee went four furlongs in :50.23 over the Oklahoma dirt surface Friday morning.
“Those two horses went great,” said Brown. “I'm very happy. They've been doing very well breezing on the dirt, so I just wanted to keep them happy with what they're doing for the maintenance work. They seem happy each week doing that, and I'm pleased with how they've been exiting their works.”
McKulick and GIII Sheepshead Bay S. winner Royalty Interest (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) will represent the stable in the New York S. There they could encounter Aspen Grove (Ire) (Justify), last year's GI Belmont Oaks upsetter who went a half in :48 2/5 over the Oklahoma turf training track for trainer Jack Sisterson.
A star-studded set for Chad Brown go out to work on the turf. In order, WHITEBEAM, GINA ROMANTICA, COPPICE and MCKULICK. pic.twitter.com/AbHr0JTyGq
— Mary Eddy🏇🏼 (@singmysongbird) May 31, 2024
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