Belmont Stakes clocker: Master Fencer still reluctant to change leads

BELMONT PARK
Weather: Cloudy
Temp.: 67
Track: Fast

ELMONT, N.Y. – After an eventful and somewhat dismaying seven-furlong work here last week, MASTER FENCER was given a second opportunity to breeze over the Belmont Park main track shortly after the renovation break Wednesday. Unfortunately for his connections, the end result was not really any more encouraging.

With jockey Julien Leparoux in town for the assignment, Master Fencer warmed up on the training track before switching over to the main for his work. Breaking off at the five-furlong pole, Master Fencer posted splits of 12.51 seconds, 24.54, and 36.19 for the opening three-eighths to the top of the stretch. But despite prodding from his rider, Master Fencer never switched off his left lead, struggling to the wire to complete the distance in 1:01.44 before easing up going out six furlongs in a lackluster 1:15.12.

Master Fencer was similarly reluctant to switch leads during the latter stages of his work here the previous week, finally doing so following a barrage of whips that ultimately led to a brief stumble near midstretch. Master Fencer, who finished with excellent energy to be seventh under Leparoux in the Kentucky Derby, is not the prettiest of movers even at a gallop, with a high action more suggestive of a horse who’d prefer to run on grass.

As a caveat, Master Fencer’s lone official work at Churchill Downs prior to his surprisingly strong performance in the Derby was average at best – although I’m just not getting any positive vibes out of his morning activity since his arrival in New York a couple of weeks ago.

WAR OF WILL has been a bundle of energy in his first two visits to the track since hitting town Sunday. On both occasions, the Preakness winner was a bit on the rank side starting out, giving his rider all she could handle down the backstretch before settling into a smoother and more rhythmic stride upon entering the sweeping second turn. The overall impression has been a favorable one for the only member of the Belmont field exiting the first two legs of this year’s Triple Crown.

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In contrast, SIR WINSTON doesn’t have as pretty a way of going as his stablemate War of Will, but he continues to train with excellent energy, concluding his 1 1/2-mile gallops at a two-minute pace or better (a final quarter in 26 and change Tuesday) on a regular basis.

TACITUS continues to flourish coming out of his impressive work over the weekend. Had his ears up while cruising through the stretch looking healthy and happy the last two mornings.

Preakness runner-up EVERFAST made his first local appearance after the break Tuesday, doing little more than jogging on the outside fence under exercise rider Tammy Fox.

He’s not a Belmont contender, but the star of Tuesday’s training session over the main track was clearly two-time Dubai World Cup winner THUNDER SNOW, who looked absolutely terrific galloping a mile in 2:07 on colleague David Grening’s watch before tossing in another 14.20-second furlong for good measure just prior to pulling up on the clubhouse turn.