Diamond Oops back to work

Multiple graded stakes winner Diamond Oops returned to the work tab Wednesday morning at Palm Meadows, going a half-mile in 51.80 seconds over the main track.

It was his first breeze since Feb. 16, when he breezed seven furlongs on turf.

While trainer Patrick Biancone said he didn’t see anything on the Churchill Downs stakes schedule that enticed him, he is getting the 5-year-old gelding ready for a summer and fall campaign.

New York Racing Association officials are still awaiting word from Gov. Andrew Cuomo about a potential opening of Belmont Park later this month or early June. Should Belmont be able to open, races like the Metropolitan Handicap or perhaps a rescheduled Carter Handicap, a Grade 1 race typically run at Aqueduct, could be among the options for Diamond Oops.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Biancone said he would most likely keep Diamond Oops in one-turn races from six furlongs to a mile.

Last year, Diamond Oops won the Grade 3 Smile Sprint at Gulfstream at six furlongs before finishing second to Imperial Hint in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt. This year’s Smile Sprint is scheduled for Sept. 5 at Gulfstream.

“It looks like it’s going to be a very light summer, but hopefully a heavy fall,” Biancone said. “We better keep them fresh for that.”

Diamond Oops has not raced since he finished fourth behind Mucho Gusto in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational.