Belmont clocker: Mubtaahij continues to stay busy

Belmont Park

Weather: Clear

Temperature: 58

Track: Fast

ELMONT, N.Y. - Not much activity on the Belmont Stakes front around here these days with only six potential starters on the grounds, four of whom are coming off five furlongs workouts on Friday.

MUBTAAHIJ has been the busiest of all the Belmont hopefuls stabled either in New York or Kentucky this past week. Mubtaahij, the UAE Derby winner, worked five furlongs on grass here last Sunday, a half-mile over the main track on Wednesday, and another five furlongs on dirt this morning after open galloping more than a mile Saturday.

Mubtaahij and his regular workmate Umgiyo eased away slowly from the five-eighths pole and really didn’t get down to business until leaving the half-mile marker. Mubtaahij, nearest the rail, went an opening quarter from there in 24.13 seconds and did switch back to his right lead once settling into the stretch, something he hasn’t always done in the past. He edged several lengths clear of the overmatched Umgiyo, who is clearly better on grass, approaching the wire while completing four furlongs in 47.95 under some urging.

Mubtaahij then continued out solo, barely shading 14 seconds for another furlong, covering five furlongs from the half in 1:01.83. He then shut down pretty quickly, barely making time for six furlongs, pulling up in 1:18.40.

Hard to take anything away from this average-looking work that would suggest the Irish-bred Mubtaahij might be able to move forward enough off his Kentucky Derby performance to challenge the favorites on Belmont Day, although he certainly should be fit enough to stay 1 1/2 miles considering his recent work load.

TALE OF VERVE turned in a routine gallop, once around the 1 1/2-mile oval, after the renovation break while under the watchful eye of trainer Dallas Stewart on Sunday. The Preakness runner-up made a great appearance back at the barn an hour later, all dappled out and looking like a happy horse who has adapted well to his new surroundings.

Stewart said “he’s very pleased” with the way Tale of Verve has handled himself coming out of the race and that he is considering giving him one work locally, either Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, depending upon the weather.