Green Light Go impresses in debut win

ELMONT, N.Y. – Before Jimmy Jerkens sent out a bevy of older horses in stakes over closing weekend at Belmont, he unleashed a good-looking 2-year-old colt on Thursday in Green Light Go, who sped off to a 3 1/4-length victory in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race. Under Junior Alvarado, Green Light Go covered the distance in 1:03.75 seconds and earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I didn’t expect him to break that quick, he’s a big horse, but he’s real athletic and got out of there. And the way the track’s been, Junior said ‘I’m not going to take him back now,’” Jerkens said. “He showed he could run. His works were all good.”

Jerkens said he didn’t know where Green Light Go, owned by Stronach Stables, would run next. From a timing standpoint, the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special on Aug. 10 might make sense.

Tax works toward Jim Dandy

Tax, the fourth-place finisher in the Belmont Stakes, returned to the worktab Saturday, breezing a half-mile in 48.16 seconds over the Belmont Park training track.

Tax, working outside of another Danny Gargan-trained horse, got his first quarter in 23.67 seconds. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.59 and six furlongs in 1;15.23.

“When he’s good, he trains good, and he’s good right now,” Gargan said.

Gargan said Tax has come out of the Belmont better than any race in which he’s previously run. Tax, who had a foot bruise about a week before the Belmont, was equipped with glue-on shoes for the Belmont and Gargan believes they’ve made a world of difference.

“The shoes changed him, I think he’s five or six lengths better now than he’s been in his life,” Gargan said. “If he stays like this, I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t win the Jim Dandy.”