My Adonis looks sharp in Wood Memorial drill

Barbara D. Livingston

My Adonis is being pointed to the Grade 1 Wood Memorial on April 7 at Aqueduct.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – While many of his colleagues were at Palm Meadows in Florida on Friday morning watching 2-year-olds breeze for an upcoming auction, trainer Kelly Breen was at Belmont Park watching a breeze show of his own.

Breen flew in from south Florida to watch My Adonis, runner-up in the Gotham Stakes three weeks ago, work five furlongs over the Belmont Park training track in preparation for a start in the $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 7.

With jockey Cornelio Velasquez up, My Adonis went five furlongs in 1:00.75 in company with the recent 3-year-old filly maiden winner Srumdiddlyumptious, who was timed for five furlongs in 1:00.91.

“He worked excellent,” Breen said before catching a flight back to Florida. “Cornelio breezed him and said he was really into the bridle. Everybody was very pleased.”

Breen said Velasquez breezed My Adonis before he ran in the Gotham. Breen said that Velasquez told him the horse is maturing.

“The horse looked awesome,” said Breen, who hadn’t seen My Adonis since the Gotham. “I’m starting to get excited.”

In the Gotham, My Adonis was beaten three lengths by Hansen while finishing six lengths clear of the rest of the field.

With Hansen going to the Blue Grass instead of the Wood, Breen likes his chances, even if the competition will now include the undefeated Gemologist, Withers winner Alpha, and the improving Street Life.

“I believe I have a legitimate shot,” said Breen, who trains My Adonis, a son of Pleasantly Perfect, for George and Lori Hall. “Without Hansen, maybe my chances of winning increase. Still, it’s a horse race. I’m happy the way my horse himself is training.”

Breen said My Adonis would likely have one more work before the Wood. Breen said My Adonis will likely van to Aqueduct to get a work over the main track. My Adonis worked over the inner track prior to the Gotham.

As of Friday, the prospective Wood field included Alpha, Casual Trick, Gemologist, My Adonis, Street Life, The Lumber Guy, and Tiger Walk.

Mark Casse, trainer of Tampa Bay Derby winner Prospective, said he and owner John Oxley are still deciding between the Wood and the Blue Grass at Keeneland on April 15.

Romancing the Gold, a recent 3-year-old allowance winner here, worked four furlongs in 48.97 seconds over the training track Friday morning. Part-owner Adam Wachtel said the Illinois Derby is a more likely spot for his gelding than the Wood.