Mubtaahij getting ready for Suburban

ELMONT, N.Y. – Mubtaahij, second to California Chrome in the $10 million Dubai World Cup in March, worked a half-mile in 48.38 seconds Thursday over the Belmont Park main track. It was his second work since joining trainer Kiaran McLaughlin’s stable a few weeks ago.

McLaughlin said Mubtaahij is targeting the Grade 2, $500,000 Suburban Handicap on July 9.

Working by himself and breaking off at the three-furlong pole, Mubtaahij went the first furlong 11.80 seconds, went from the quarter pole to the wire in 23.68 seconds, and from the wire to the 1 3/8-mile pole in 12.90.

“He’s doing very well, training very well,” said McLaughlin, whose assistant Joe Lee oversaw the breeze.

As a 3-year-old in 2015, Mubtaahij finished eighth behind American Pharoah in the Kentucky Derby and fourth to him in the Belmont Stakes. He went winless in three starts in Dubai during the winter but ran a very creditable second to California Chrome.

McLaughlin said the plan is for Mubtaahij to stay in the U.S. through the Breeders’ Cup, then return to trainer Michael de Kock and again point for the Dubai World Cup.