Belmont Park: Hymn Book, Point of Entry in Breeders' Cup works

ELMONT, N.Y. - The lone New York-based Breeders’ Cup horse to work Monday at Belmont Park was Hymn Book, who went four furlongs in 50.62 seconds in company with the 2-year-old maiden Mischieviously. After crawling a first eighth in 13.86, Hymn Book got the final three furlongs of his move in 36.76 while galloping out five furlongs in 1:03.36.

“I think he’s doing really well,” trainer Shug McGaughey said of Hymn Book, winner of the Grade 1 Donn Handicap in 2012. “I’m seeing him do things around the barn I’ve never seen him do before, being a little more aggressive.”

McGaughey said Point of Entry came out of his five-furlong breeze in 1:02.10 under John Velazquez on Sunday in good order and remains on course for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, a race in which he finished second in last year.

“Johnny said his work last week was good, this one was even better,” McGaughey said Monday. “He’s gone forward off everything I’ve done with him.”

Also working Sunday for McGaughey was Kentucky Derby winner Orb, who went a half-mile in 50.35. Orb is being pointed to the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Nov. 30.

“That’s what I’m planning on doing unless he tells me no somewhere along the line,” McGaughey said.

Saratoga Snacks eyes Cigar

Saratoga Snacks came out of his victory in Saturday’s $250,000 Empire Classic “great,” according to trainer Gary Sciacca, who added the Cigar Mile is possible for the New York-bred’s next start.

“Maybe,” Sciacca said. “We’ll see.”

Sciacca did say that Saratoga Snacks, owned by Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, will race again in 2014.