Belmont: Citrus Kid eyes President’s Cup at Parx

John Terranova had considered running Citrus Kid in Saturday’s Bowling Green at Belmont, but thought the 1 3/8 miles might have been asking a bit much for a horse who hasn’t run since April. Instead, Terranova will likely send Citrus Kid to Parx for next Saturday’s $250,000 PTHA President’s Cup run at 1 1/8 miles.

On Saturday, Citrus Kid completed his serious preparations for the race with a four-furlong move in 47.67 seconds over the Belmont Park training track.

Citrus Kid, a son of Lemon Drop Kid, has won 2 of 3 starts this year, sandwiched around a fifth in the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida at Gulfstream. In winning an April 9 allowance race at Keeneland, he beat a field that included graded winners Al Khali, Battle of Hastings, and Grassy, the latter being the morning-line second choice for the Bowling Green.

Citrus Kid was entered to run in the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Derby Day, but he was found to have an ankle chip, which was surgically removed.

“He’s back quick, a lot quicker that we thought, it was a very minor deal," Terranova said. “He seemed to come back fantastic."

Saturday’s work was the fourth consecutive bullet move for Citrus Kid over the training track.

“He’s a good workhorse, that looked pretty easy for him," Terranova said. “He’s been working on target all summer."

◗ At Saratoga, Alabama winner Royal Delta worked four furlongs in 47.57 seconds over the Oklahoma training track. She is being pointed to either the Grade 1, $350,000 Beldame here on Oct. 1 or the Grade 1, $500,000 Spinster at Keeneland on Oct. 9.

◗ To Honor and Serve, winner of a third-level allowance at Saratoga on Aug. 26, worked four furlongs in 48.16 seconds. He is being pointed to the Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 24.