Belmont Stakes 2021: Rebel's Romance works five furlongs
ELMONT, N.Y. - Rebel’s Romance, the UAE Derby winner, had his second timed workout in four days, going five furlongs in 1:01.05 over the Belmont Park main track just after 5:30 a.m.
Belmont Park clockers had his final quarter in 24 seconds as Rebel’s Romance followed, but did not catch, his stablemate Desert Peace, who began the move two lengths in front and remained close to that margin in front at the finish, according to the clockers. Rebel’s Romance went out six furlongs in 1:14 and seven furlongs in 1:27.40.
It was a similar style move as Wednesday, when both horses went a half-mile in 50.54 seconds. Desert Peace is a 4-year-old gelding by Curlin who has won three of five starts and who will be nominated to the Grade 2, $300,000 True North, a 6 1/2-furlong race, to be run here June 4.
Sophie Chretien, the traveling assistant to trainer Charlie Appleby, said Wednesday’s work was the first for Rebel’s Romance since the March 27 UAE Derby which is, in part, why he was brought back three days later for another workout.
“That was the first one and was not too hard,” Chretien said. “We need to get fit because the race is in two weeks.”
Chretien said the purpose of these first two works was not to have Rebel’s Romance pass Desert Peace but rather “just let him really stretch,” she said. “Next time, we’ll try to catch and pass him.”
Rebel’s Romance, an Irish-bred gelding by Dubawi owned and bred by Godolphin Racing, has won four of five starts. His first two victories came in one-mile races over a synthetic surface. In his first start on dirt, he won the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial at Meydan by a head on Jan. 14. He came back in the Saudi Derby and finished fourth before winning the UAE Derby by 5 1/2 lengths.
“He’s still a big, big weak baby but each time we ask he keeps giving it back and I think he’s progressing each race,” Chretien said. “I think this track will suit him and distance will suit him.”
Chretien said Mike Smith, a three-time winner of the Belmont Stakes, will have the ride in the Belmont. Smith will also ride Desert Peace in the True North should he run in that race.
Appleby shipped four horses to New York. Two, Althiqa and Summer Romance, both 4-year-old fillies, worked six furlongs over the Belmont turf course on Saturday. Althiqa started in front and Summer Romance made up the ground for a final clocking of 1:14.14 while Althiqa went in 1:14.34.
“They needed it, they had a big blow,” Chretien said. “They really progressed nicely, have a nice turn of foot. I’m very pleased with them.”
Chretien said Smith would ride Althiqa and Luis Saez will be aboard Summer Romance in the Just a Game.
Althiqa beat Summer Romance in the Grade 2 Cape Verdi Stakes going a mile over the Meydan turf in January. Summer Romance turned the tables in the Group 2 Balanchine, going 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 18. Neither horse has run since.
*** At Churchill Downs on Saturday, Essential Quality, Godolphin’s other Belmont Stakes hopeful, worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds.
It was Essential Quality’s second work since he was beaten a length when running fourth to Medina Spirit in the Kentucky Derby.
The Derby was the first career defeat for Essential Quality after winning his first five starts including all three last year when he was crowned champion 2-year-old male.