Catalina Cruiser, McKinzie work for stakes at Belmont

ARCADIA, Calif. – The multiple graded stakes winners Catalina Cruiser and McKinzie worked six furlongs Monday at Santa Anita in advance of scheduled appearances in stakes at Belmont Park in early June.

McKinzie, who won his fifth stakes in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes on May 3 at Churchill Downs, was timed in 1:11.80, the fastest of five works at the distance. Trainer Bob Baffert said McKinzie will start in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, a $1.2 million race at a mile on June 8.

“He’s right on schedule,” Baffert said.

Catalina Cruiser worked six furlongs in 1:13 for the Grade 2 True North Stakes on June 7. Trained by John Sadler, Catalina Cruiser won two Grade 2 races at Del Mar last summer – the San Diego Handicap and the Pat O’Brien Stakes – but was sixth as the 9-10 favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs last November.

The $250,000 True North Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs will be Catalina Cruiser’s first start since the BC Dirt Mile.

:: MEMORIAL DAY SALE: Save 50% on Formulator PPs, DRF Plus access, and handicapping reports