Discreet Marq works five furlongs

Discreet Marq, who has a win and three seconds in four Grade 1 attempts, worked five furlongs in 1:00.62 over Belmont’s main track Friday morning in preparation for the Grade 1, $750,000 Just a Game Stakes here next Saturday.

Discreet Marq won the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks last July but has since finished second in the Garden City, Matriarch, and, in her first start this year, the Jenny Wiley at Keeneland.

“She’s a better horse today than her last race,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “She’s fitter. She looks better. She was still very wintry when I took her to Keeneland. Her weight is better. Her coat is better. I think she’s a better horse today.”

Discreet Marq is expected to meet a field that includes Better Lucky, Coffee Clique, Dame Marie, Filimbi, Somali Lemonade, and Stephanie’s Kitten. Unlimited Budget is a possibility, pending the results of a turf workout Sunday.

As far as the Grade 1 Manhattan is concerned, Clement said his plans were weather-dependent.

“If it was very firm, I might consider it for Summer Front,” he said. “If it was very soft, I might consider it for Chamois. And if it’s in between, I might not consider it at all.”