Lani works at Belmont for Preakness

BALTIMORE – Lani, the ninth-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 on Wednesday over the Belmont Park main track in preparation for Saturday’s $1.5 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

According to Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Vesce, Lani walked once around the 1 1/2-mile oval and jogged a mile to the five-eighths pole before breaking off for his work. Vesce caught Lani in fractions of 13 seconds for his first eighth, 37.20 seconds for three furlongs, and 24.20 for his final quarter. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.60.

Trainer Mikio Matsunaga was on hand for the workout. Keita Tanaka, the agent for owner Koji Maeda, said Matsunaga “was satisfied with how he moved.”

“He responded to the rider and changed his leads properly,” Tanaka said.

Maeda said that Lani would leave Belmont Park by van around 4 a.m. Thursday. Maeda also said that Lani, who has been difficult around the gate, will visit the Pimlico starting gate on Friday.

“The starter wants to see him on Friday,” Maeda said.

:: PREAKNESS: Buy pps, watch Saturday's card live

Maeda said a wet track “would help” Lani, as would a fast pace.

Yutaka Take, who rode Lani in six of his first seven starts, including a victory in the United Arab Emirates Derby at Meydan, will ride the Kentucky-bred son of Tapit again.