Belmont Stakes 2021: Well-traveled Rebel's Romance picks up pace in latest work

ELMONT, N.Y. – For the third time in eight days, Rebel’s Romance recorded an official workout at Belmont Park in preparation for a start in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 5. Wednesday morning was his most serious and, to listen to his connections, the best Rebel’s Romance has gone since he arrived in New York from overseas nearly four weeks ago.

Rebel’s Romance worked six furlongs in 1:14.30 in company with Desert Peace, another Godolphin-owned, Charlie Appleby-trained horse who is possible for the True North Stakes on June 4. Rebel’s Romance started about two lengths behind Desert Peace, caught up to his stablemate after three furlongs in 37.05 seconds then, under some urging from exercise rider Michael Metcalfe, finished slightly in front at the wire, covering five furlongs in 1:00.53.

He galloped out six furlongs in 13.77 and was credited with the six-furlong time. He went on out seven furlongs in 1:30 though Desert Peace was back in front at that point.

In his two previous works – on Sunday and May 19 – Rebel’s Romance simply followed Desert Peace around the track, not passing him. Wednesday, he was asked to catch and go past by Metcalfe.

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“He’s always quite a lethargic work horse at home,” Metcalfe said. “I don’t think he’s ever won a gallop at home. He always gets to the lead horse and feels like he’s done enough. He definitely feels like he’s sharpened up from his Saturday piece of work.”

Rebel’s Romance was a bit late changing leads, but in his previous work he did not do that at all.

Rebel’s Romance, an Irish-bred gelding by Dubawi, has won four of five starts. At 2, he won twice on synthetic surfaces at Newcastle and Kempton in Great Britain. He went to Dubai for the winter and won the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial in his first race on dirt at Meydan. In the $1.5 million Saudi Derby, also on dirt, Rebel’s Romance appeared poised to be a factor in the stretch but he flattened out.

Back at Meydan for the UAE Derby, Rebel’s Romance appeared much more professional, changing leads in mid-stretch and drawing clear to win by 5 1/2 lengths. Metcalfe commented that the first three races for Rebel’s Romance were too easy.

“That race in Saudi – they ran quick fractions which he’s never done before – that was his first proper race I would say,” Metcalfe said. “He’s still learning on the job. He’s a 3-year-old with a big frame. He’s only going to get better with age. [Progeny of] Dubawi tend to get better with age.”

With three timed workouts in eight days, the serious training for Rebel’s Romance and Desert Peace is done, according to Sophie Chretien, who is overseeing the training of both geldings.

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Chretien said Rebel’s Romance has “improved so much” since his first workout on May 19 in which he went a half-mile in 50.54 seconds. “He knows more what he has to do, he’s gotten to know the track, the surface, very pleased,” she said.

Mike Smith, a three-time Belmont Stakes-winning jockey, has the call on Rebel’s Romance.

Friday a big workout day

In a perfect, or in this case, dry world, trainers Todd Pletcher and Michael McCarthy would breeze their Belmont Stakes runners this Saturday. But with rain in the forecast Friday afternoon and perhaps lasting into Saturday morning, workouts for Pletcher’s trio of Bourbonic, Known Agenda, and Overtook as well as the McCarthy-trained Rombauer, the Preakness winner, will happen Friday.

Rombauer jogged Monday and galloped Tuesday over Belmont’s main track. On Wednesday, he had an easy gallop over the training track, McCarthy said.