Belmont Stakes Clocker: Golden Glider, Creative Minister have easy final breezes
Belmont Park
Monday, June 6
Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 68
Track: Fast
ELMONT, N.Y. – With half of the prospective eight-horse lineup working here Saturday, action on the local front, at least in regards to the 2022 Belmont Stakes field, was limited during training hours on Sunday and Monday mornings. There were maintenance-like half-mile breezes from Golden Glider and Creative Minister and the now regular sight of Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike looking well while putting in routine gallops immediately after the renovation break both days over the main track.
GOLDEN GLIDER turned in his final Belmont Stakes prep early Sunday morning, all but walking away from the half-mile pole in 13.97 seconds for his opening furlong. He was allowed to pick up the pace some approaching the stretch before responding willingly to some late encouragement to complete the final quarter of a 49.94 half in 23.39 over a track definitely on the dullish side before the renovation break here Sunday.
He was not allowed to do much on the gallop-out, easing up five-eighths in an average 1:03.27. The Peter Pan runner-up is definitely taking things on the easier side in the final week or so leading up to the Belmont.
CREATIVE MINISTER appears none the worse for wear from a relatively grueling recent schedule, which includes a third-place finish in the Preakness and which will feature his third start in five weeks in the Belmont. Among the first horses on the racetrack like clockwork each morning shortly after 5:30 a.m., the lightly raced but steadily improving colt breezed four furlongs in 50.26 on Monday, going on his own throughout under jockey Heman Harkie, before pulling up five-eighths in 1:04.02.
RICH STRIKE has made a favorable impression each and every morning since his arrival here early last week, although he did temper his activities a bit on Sunday and Monday mornings after galloping a solid two miles Saturday. Rich Strike was under a snug hold coming down the lane Sunday while continuing to gallop with his ears pricked and also looking fresh and happy exiting his memorable performance at Churchill Downs just four weeks earlier.
WE THE PEOPLE, who looked very sharp breezing four furlongs before galloping out strongly Saturday, was back to the track Monday for a leisurely one-mile gallop with trainer Rodolphe Brisset aboard, per usual.