Mind Control, Zandon, Julia Shining work for stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Among the 279 horses who put in timed workouts Friday morning at Belmont Park - as trainers tried to beat the rain that was forecast later in the day - were Mind Control, Zandon, and Julia Shining.

Mind Control, a two-time Grade 1 winner who is pointing to the Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Dec. 3, worked a half-mile in 49.00 seconds going in company with the 3-year-old maiden winner Gasoline. Mind Control got his last quarter in 23.85 second and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.97 and six furlongs in 1:14.47.

That was Mind Control’s first work since he crossed the finish line second, but was placed first by the stewards in the Parx Dirt Mile on Sept. 24.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said Mind Control “missed a few days” of training due to a foot issue.

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The Cigar Mile is expected to be Mind Control’s final start.

Zandon, the Grade 1 Blue Grass winner who finished second in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby, worked a half-mile in 48.87 seconds in preparation for the Cigar Mile for trainer Chad Brown.

Julia Shining, the full sister to Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Malathaat, who was an impressive debut winner at Keeneland on Oct. 16, worked four furlongs in 49.41 seconds in company with the unraced 2-year-old filly Give Me Kisses. Julia Shining is pointing to the Grade 2, $250,000 Demoiselle here on Dec. 3.

“She’s doing well, she’s settled in well here,” Pletcher said.

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