Belmont Stakes workouts: California Chrome does his thing

ELMONT, N.Y. – Tuesday was just another day at the office for the majority of the dozen or so confirmed starters for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. Routine gallops were the order of the day for almost the entire prospective field, with odds-on favorite California Chrome having the busiest morning of them all as he continues his quest to sweep the Triple Crown.

Belmont Park: Track: Fast, Weather: Sunny, Temperature: 69 degrees

California Chrome emerged from the paddock tunnel shortly before 6:30 a.m. but had to wait briefly to allow Classic Point to complete her six-furlong work for the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps. California Chrome, as has become customary since his arrival in New York, slowly backtracked at a jog to the half-mile pole, where he stood briefly before reversing direction and embarking on a long, very leisurely journey. He galloped past the wire two times before he pulled up on the clubhouse turn after completing 2 3/8 miles.

Although he stretched out a little better the second time around the track, California Chrome seemed to be just shuffling along most of the way, in sharp contrast to the more aggressive gallops routinely turned in by several of his key rivals, including Tonalist, Ride On Curlin, and Commanding Curve. California Chrome also got a little hot for the first time in the past week, although it was a warm, sunny morning, and he spent a long time getting to and then out onto the racetrack.

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The bottom line is that what we saw again Tuesday is vintage California Chrome and what everyone probably can expect to see in the final days leading up to his potentially history-making start Saturday in the Belmont.

Perhaps the most noteworthy occurrence during training hours Tuesday came when Social Inclusion walked out onto the racetrack without his Belmont Stakes saddle towel, raising speculation that his connections had already decided to bypass the Belmont in lieu of Saturday’s Woody Stephens. That premise wound up proving false, at least for the time being, with a decision on his status not to come until another schooling session at the starting gate Wednesday.

But no matter what towel he trained in, there was little doubt that Social Inclusion had himself a good morning, galloping strongly and soundly and as well as I’ve seen him since prior to his big effort a couple of months ago in the Wood Memorial.

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Ride On Curlin returned to the track for the first time since working seven furlongs Sunday and was not allowed to do too much during an average-looking gallop. He did seem to be his usual aggressive self as he made his way down the stretch and across the finish line. It is likely we’ll see him go even stronger Wednesday, weather and track permitting.

It was more of the same from Tonalist on Tuesday, as he again showed off his long, easy stride, especially when open-galloping the last three-eighths of a 1 1/4-mile session from the eighth pole down the long Belmont straightaway.

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Wicked Strong also went back to the track for the first time since his sensational breeze Sunday, continuing to do most of his training in the relative anonymity and more relaxing atmosphere of the Belmont training track.

Jerkens fillies breeze

Classic Point was one of two fillies trainer Allen Jerkens breezed over the fast track Tuesday in preparation for Saturday’s rich Belmont Stakes undercard.

Classic Point broke off at the five-eighths pole and looked good breezing an even six furlongs in 1:13.24 over a track that appeared, as usual, a bit more on the loose side prior to the break than after. She’ll have her work cut out for her while facing Princess of Sylmar, Beholder, and Close Hatches in the Phipps.

House Rules was the first horse to breeze over the freshly renovated main track after the break, looking sharp while getting five furlongs in 1:00.39, with a big final quarter in 23.56 without the need of much encouragement. She galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.96 in preparation for the Grade 1 Acorn.