Donegal Moon works for Withers

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Donegal Moon, who stumbled and unseated his rider at the start of the Grade 3 Jerome here Jan. 2, worked a half-mile in 49.53 seconds Friday over the Belmont Park training track in preparation for next Saturday’s Grade 3 Withers.

Donegal Moon, working on the inside of stablemate Picozza, went his first quarter in 25.22 seconds and his last quarter in 24.31 over a dull training track. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.64.

“He’s put in two good breezes back to back,” said Byron Hughes, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher. “He picked it up nice down the lane and galloped out well.”

◗ The $100,000 Busanda Stakes, part of Saturday’s card, which was canceled due to a winter storm, will be run Jan. 31. The race for 3-year-old fillies will be open to original nominees and will be redrawn Thursday.