Gio Ponti goes back to work at Belmont

ELMONT, N.Y. – Gio Ponti on Saturday continued preparations for his fall campaign, a campaign that his connections have yet to definitively map out.

In his first work since finishing second in the Arlington Million on Aug. 21, Gio Ponti worked a solid five furlongs in 1:01.72 Saturday morning over Belmont Park’s inner turf course. Following an early afternoon conversation with owner Shane Ryan, trainer Christophe Clement said that it has yet to be determined where Gio Ponti will make his next start.

Among the possibilities are Sunday’s Woodbine Mile in Canada or the Shadwell Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 9. Either spot would be used as a likely stepping-stone to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6.

However, Clement said that a start in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic is still a possibility for Gio Ponti, which could change where and when the colt makes his next start. Gio Ponti finished second to Zenyatta in last year’s Classic. That race was run over the synthetic Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita. This year’s Classic will be run over dirt, a surface that Gio Ponti has yet to race on in 21 lifetime starts.

“The Breeders’ Cup Classic is very much under consideration,” Clement said Saturday. “He came out of the Arlington Million great, and he will be pointed to one of the Breeders’ Cup races, we’re just not sure which one yet.”

As far as Saturday’s work went, Gio Ponti went his first quarter in 26.06 seconds while getting his final three furlongs in 35.66 seconds under exercise rider Christophe Lorieul. The work was a strong indication that Gio Ponti came out of the Arlington Million in good shape.

“From Day One, you knew he took the race very well,” Clement said.

Interpatation to wait for Joe Hirsch

Interpatation was one of four horses scratched from Saturday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Bowling Green Handicap. Trainer Robert Barbara said he felt Interpatation needed more time and will point him to the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, a race he won last year at odds of 43-1.

Also scratched were Grand Couturier, who is being pointed to Sunday’s Northern Dancer at Woodbine, Gabriel’s Hill, and Southwest.

Galluscio suspended for Clenbuterol

Trainer Dominic Galluscio began serving a 15-day suspension on Sept. 7 for a Clenbuterol violation dating back to March 11 at Aqueduct. Only seven of the 15 days that Galluscio serves are racing days in New York. Galluscio was fined $1,000 as well.

The horse Maggie’s Prince, who finished fourth in the fourth race at Aqueduct on March 11 was found to have clenbuterol, a bronchial dilator, in her system. She was ordered unplaced in the order of finish.

Galluscio’s suspension was reduced from 30 days for Galluscio waiving his right of appeal. He is eligible to return on Sept. 22.