Much Rejoicing tunes up for Acorn

ELMONT, N.Y. - Much Rejoicing, a winner of her first two starts, worked a strong five furlongs in 1:00.44 Monday morning over Belmont's main track in preparation for a start in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes.

Much Rejoicing is a daughter of Distorted Humor out of the champion turf mare Soaring Softly. James Toner, who trained Soaring Softly, is also the trainer of Much Rejoicing.

On Feb. 14, Much Rejoicing won her debut at Gulfstream by three-quarters of a length. On April 3, she won a first-level allowance race going about seven furlongs over Keeneland's synthetic surface.

"She's small, she's a little on the light side, so I wanted to make sure I gave her plenty of time before I brought her back," Toner said. "She did well at Keeneland, she put on weight. She's starting to develop. I'm looking forward to a nice summer with her."

Dutrow hopes to shine with Polished

Richard Dutrow Jr. had quite the enjoyable experience in Baltimore, winning Friday's Black-Eyed Susan with Acting Happy and running fourth - beaten less than two lengths - in Saturday's Preakness Stakes with Yawanna Twist.

Though the stakes are much more modest, Dutrow hopes to keep the momentum going at Belmont on Wednesday with Polished, who could be the horse to beat in the $42,000 starter handicap, the feature on the nine-race card.

Dutrow, on behalf of owner James Riccio, claimed Polished for $20,000 on Jan. 16, a day he won a two-turn, nine-furlong race at Gulfstream. On Feb. 25, in his first start for new connections, Polished won a $32,000 claimer going a one-turn mile, the same conditions as Wednesday's race.

Dutrow credited Riccio for claiming Polished, a son of Mineshaft. Dutrow said he wanted to wait until he got back to New York to run the gelding in a starter allowance because the purses were better.

"I think he's doing better now, too," Dutrow said.

Edgar Prado, who snapped out of a meet-long slump with four wins on Sunday, has the ride.

Dutrow said that Acting Happy would likely be pointed to the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga on July 24 and then the Grade 1 Alabama four weeks later.

Dutrow said there are no plans yet for Yawanna Twist.