Belmont Clocker: Forte follows in Tapit Trice's footsteps
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BELMONT, N.Y. – Forte had himself a tough act to follow Saturday at Belmont Park after stablemate Tapit Trice turned in a very impressive five-furlong breeze here the previous morning in preparation for his upcoming start in the Belmont Stakes on June 10. And the reigning 2-year-old champion was not only up to the task, he turned in nearly a carbon copy of Tapit Trice’s big effort, both from a visual standpoint as well as on the watch.
With Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard and while paired up with maiden mate Abadin, Forte rated through early splits of 24.92 seconds and 36.49 for the opening three furlongs before edging away readily from his overmatched partner approaching the wire while never prodded at any point.
The work was similar to Tapit Trice’s effort in company 24 hours earlier. Forte covered five furlongs in 1:00.49 and then, like Tapit Trice, sustained good energy when responding to some light urging from Ortiz approaching and into the turn, galloping out six panels in 1:12.72 and seven-eighths in 1:25.94 before easing up a mile in 1:38.74, a mere .05 second slower than Tapit Trice negotiated the same distance before pulling up after his work on Friday.
Forte still has a hurdle to climb before securing his spot in the Belmont lineup, passing a post-work blood test that would get him off the vet’s list he’s been on since scratched at Churchill Downs the morning of the Kentucky Derby. His effort today would would indicated he’s feeling no ill effects whatsoever from the bruised foot that prevented him from competing as the likely favorite in the opening leg of this year’s Triple Crown.
Forte is one of just a handful of Belmont Stakes hopefuls currently on the grounds, a short list that along with Tapit Trice also includes Preakness winner National Treasure, Peter Pan hero Arcangelo, and Red Route One.
Il Miracolo was confirmed a Belmont starter Friday morning by trainer Antonio Sano not long after working five furlongs in 1:01.15 in company with Artico, a lower-level maiden claiming winner over the Tapeta surface earlier this spring. The pair posted a 36.45 opening three-furlong split going on even terms before Il Miracolo stuck his head in front nearing the wire while finishing relatively easy inside his fully extended mate. The pair worked over a track soaked by overnight showers and, as a result, sealed rock-hard tight for the morning.
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