A number of Classic contenders hit the Belmont main track on Thursday morning. Clear skies overnight and moderate winds helped the dry the track out, allowing Breeders' Cup horses a chance to gallop over the same track they will compete over on Saturday.
A Bit O'Gold – The Two Bit Racing Stable's A Bit O'Gold galloped 1 1/2 miles on the main track Thursday morning under exercise rider Louise McDonald as he continued preparations for the Classic. A model of consistency, A Bit O'Gold has placed in the top four in 16 of 17 starts.
Borrego – Exercise rider Andy Durnin and the 9-2 third choice galloped a strong 1 1/2 miles around the main track Thursday at Belmont Park.
Choctaw Nation – The 5yo gelded son of Louis Quatorze stood in the gate Thursday morning before galloping 1 1/2 miles on the main track under exercise rider Amy Mullins, wife of trainer Jeff Mullins. "We just wanted to get him acquainted with the gate," Mullins said.
Flower Alley – Trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez are feeling relaxed two days ahead of Saturday's attempt in the Classic. "He's doing great and training great, but he has to step up and prove himself somewhat," said Pletcher. Velazquez's agent, Hall of Famer Angel Cordero Jr., worked Flower Alley Monday, breezing 5f in 58 4/5.
Jack Sullivan – A first Breeders' Cup runner for trainer Gerard Butler, the 4yo cantered on the Belmont inner turf course a little after 9 a.m. Thursday and then visited the starting gate.
Oratorio (IRE) – Trainer Aidan O'Brien is due in New York Thursday evening and is expected to send his Classic hopeful to the track Friday morning. O'Brien's five Breeders' Cup entrants had cleared quarantine but remained in the Quarantine Barn Thursday morning.
Perfect Drift – Stonecrest Farm's hard-trying gelding arrived in New York at approximately 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and settled into his stall in Shug McGaughey's Belmont Park barn. He walked the shedrow on Thursday morning and schooled in the paddock before the third race. "We'll just walk today and tomorrow," said trainer Murray Johnson. "He likes it that way. He's been here before, so going to the track isn't that important. He's doing great now. We're all set."
Rock Hard Ten – The 4yo colt galloped 1 1/2 miles on the main track under exercise rider Paul Nilluang Thursday for the Classic after arriving here Wednesday from California. Asked about a bruise to the horse's left front foot on Oct. 20 that delayed his flight east, trainer Richard Mandella said, "We keep icing it and doing therapy to it. It's coming along good. It's improved quite a bit but you never quit worrying about it."
Starcraft (NZ) – The Australian champion worked 4f in 47 2/5 Thursday morning as trainer Luca Cumani looked on. "It was a blowout and he looked good," he said. "We're happy. We don't know how he'll handle the dirt under racing conditions but from what he did this morning, we're pleased. The draw (14) is not a great help. I estimate he'll be running about five or six yards further than the other horses. But if he takes to the surface he might just do it. Flower Alley will probably make the running with Saint Liam pressing, and we don't want to get into a speed duel."
Suave – Jay Em Ess Stable's Suave galloped a mile and three-quarters on the main track at Belmont Park under exercise rider Barry Downes. "He had a quarter crack on a back foot," trainer Paul McGee said. "We had him down at the Fair Grounds after the Clark Handicap, pointing for some stakes at the Fair Grounds that he did not make because of the crack. Then we pointed for the spring meet at Keeneland, and the quarter crack came back again. We had to keep regrouping with him. There were minor problems that we just couldn't run him.I think his form cycle is good. He has the two wins and a second. He's fresh. We are going in without any excuses the way I see it. He's got the three races under his belt, he's fresh and he's fit."
Sir Shackleton – Tracy Farmer's Woodward Stakes runner-up schooled in the gate and galloped 1 1/2 miles over the main track as he moved one day closer to Saturday's date in the Breeders' Cup Classic. "I'm very happy with his post [No. 6] for the race," trainer Nick Zito said. "He should be in good position during the race."
Sun King – Tracy Farmer's Pennsylvania Derby winner took a trip to the gate for schooling and then galloped 1 1/2 miles on the main track for trainer Nick Zito. The trainer expressed approval for Sun King's post position 2 for Saturday's race. "That's a good spot for him to start from," the trainer said. Zito has said he believes the colt continues to improve and was impressed with his workout on Monday.
Super Frolic – The Classic hopeful went about his business Thursday morning with a 1 1/2 mile gallop. His regular exercise rider, Jessie Marquez, was up for the exercise and reported his charge was doing famously. "It's all good," Marquez said. "He shipped well. He looks good and he's doing good."
