Noseda happy with Awesome Act

Jeremy Noseda on Wednesday got his first look at Awesome Act since the 3-year-old won the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on March 6 and the trainer was happy with what he saw.

"He looks good, his coat looks healthy. It's all I can ask," Noseda said after watching Awesome Act gallop 1 5/8 miles over the Belmont Park training track.

Noseda flew in to New York from England on Tuesday night and was to be here Thursday morning when the colt was scheduled to have his final breeze before he starts in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial on April 3. On Wednesday, Awesome Act galloped behind a pony.

"At home he trains behind one all the time," said Noseda, who is based at his own training center in Newmarket. "My team said he was just being a little bit aggressive when he was first jumping off in his canters each day, so we just put him in behind the pony to get him settled down a little bit more. I was happy with what I saw today."

Awesome Act remained in New York following the Gotham to prepare for the Wood. He did not go back to the track for more than a week following the Gotham and breezed an easy half-mile in 50.43 seconds on March 20.

Noseda said that Awesome Act did develop an infection in the pastern of his left hind leg, which is covered by a small bandage.

"We're just being careful that we don't get any grit or grime in it," Noseda said.

Nominations for the Wood were released on Wednesday. Expected to join Awesome Act in the starting gate are Fountain of Youth one-two finishers Eskendereya and Jackson Bend, maiden winner Carnivore, and possibly Super Saver and First Dude.